According to an editorial by The Nigeria Standard today, the 22nd of May 2024 highlighted that Governor Mutfwang’s administration is firmly committed to an environmentally conscious agenda, evident from his first official act of personally overseeing the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, a practice that had diminished in effectiveness prior to his tenure.
Plateau state, once renowned for its serene beauty and order, had succumbed to disorder with heaps of garbage and traders encroaching onto major roads. Additionally, illegal motor parks had emerged in unlikely places, and articulated vehicles, causing frequent fatal accidents, posed a significant risk to road users and residents.
Given these challenges, the government’s focus on these sectors was both necessary and timely. Consequently, the state government initiated efforts to clear illegal markets in the Jos/Bukuru metropolis, addressing serious health hazards and environmental safety concerns. Executive Order 003 was issued to regulate heavy truck movements within the city center and its outskirts.
As part of this broader initiative, the Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) gave traders at the Bukuru cattle market a two-week ultimatum to relocate to alternative sites outside the city to facilitate the construction of a long-planned stadium.
However, traders have resisted this directive. During a press conference on May 17, 2024, they argued that the new sites at Gero and Sabongida are unsafe due to the state’s history of ethno-religious conflicts.
Their spokesman stated, “The people of Bukuru still remember the horrors discovered by the Nigerian Army, including a shallow grave with the remains of Maj. Gen. Idris Alkali (rtd) and belongings of our members. Additionally, the Gero Community burial ground incident, where attendees were attacked and corpses mutilated, continues to haunt us. These events make us question our safety if relocated.”
The traders have requested that the state government reconsider and allow them to remain at their current location.
It’s unfortunate that the traders are invoking ethnic and religious sentiments over an issue centered on public health and development. At a time when state government, religious leaders, and citizens are striving to maintain peace, such tensions are counterproductive.
Furthermore, exploiting past traumas to gain sympathy for a cause that is self-serving misrepresents the intent behind relocating the market, which is in the public’s best interest.
Similar resistance is observed in Jos, where cleared traders continue to defy authorities, misleading the public into believing they are persecuted for their religious and ethnic identities. In reality, their actions hinder the state’s progress and peace.
These policies are not unique to Plateau State. Nationwide, governments are implementing similar strategies to enhance business and living conditions. Interestingly, individuals who defy these laws in Plateau State adhere to them elsewhere. Why should Plateau State be an exception?
We urge the government to address genuine concerns earnestly and consider necessary amendments or concessions. Ensuring security in these markets to reassure traders and local communities in Gero and Sabongida is crucial.
Nonetheless, no group or individual should be allowed to disobey laws under self-serving pretexts. The government must uphold its laws decisively and impartially to maintain public trust and confidence.
