How Karmo market, FCT has become melting pot of culture

Clement Okpani

Karmo is one of the satellite towns in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory. (FCT), Abuja. It is located along Idu-Karmo Road. Karmo houses many Abuja residents because of its proximity to the city centre. In 2006, karmo witnessed a serious demolition exercise that sent so many people packing out of Abuja completely. Its severity forced many people to relocate to other areas within Abuja. Many people counted their loses in penury. Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the then Federal Capital Territory  (FCT) Minister maintained his resolve to restore the master plan of Abuja despite the wailings and frustrations experienced by the people. Some people were relocated to unplanned and forest areas. Despite this development, karmo boasts of a wonderful market. The popularity of karmo is enhanced and propagated by the Tuesday market. People from the East and other parts of the country do come every Tuesday for their buying and selling.

A visit to Abuja without going to Tuesday karmo market is incomplete. Food items and other household materials are very cheap and affordable. Karmo market is capable of accruing much revenue if it is well structured and relocated properly by the government. The market is for the poor and the rich. One major concern is that the market is situated along the major road of Idu-karmo. On market days, there is always human and vehicular traffic. In case of any mishap, or loss of control by any drivers, the damage would be colossal. But the policemen and traffic warders are doing a wonderful work every Tuesday market. Mr. Michael Ozoifemenam who is the chairman of Progressive Traders Association told this reporter that he came to karmo in  January, 2000. He said that karmo market is a popular one, but was not happy the way they are being treated by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

The chairman said that the FCDA officials always come around at their own convenient time to destroy their goods  worth millions of Naira without compensation or providing an alternative for them. He said that the intervention of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Karmo Division temporarily stopped the frequent demolition exercise. According to him, the divisional police officer (DPO) told the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) officials to provide an alternative for the traders instead of destroying their livelihood. The action of the DPO was the  allocation of a piece of land owned by a military officer. The following day, the traders went to put the place in order, they met over 50 soldiers ready to march on any body who dared to come closer.

 
Furthermore, Mr. Michael said that after the incident, FCDA officials have not done anything to relocate the traders. He admitted that the location of the market is not good, but he insisted that the Government should relocate them to a better place, saying that the associations have drafted a letter to the FCDA seeking for relocation. The traders are ever ready to move to any place that government will allocate to them.  He noted that each trader pays N5,000 yearly to the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), but there is no guarantee to show that they are contributing any meaningful thing to the economy. He emphasized more on relocation and the readiness of the traders to comply. He extolled the courage of the DPO and wondered what would have happened if the DPO was not around.

He advised the government to be more accommodating . Mr. Sunday Ohaike and Mr. Solomon Ajaks expressed a similar view of what they go through at karmo market. The two traders who were very friendly to hallmark  appreciated the visit and emphasized on the need for the people to have a proper knowledge of the market and the plight the traders are going through. Although, the plight of the traders does not influence the price of commodities, but the price of commodities could have been cheaper if the traders had been relocated. The demolition exercise in 2006, even though it was targeted on the poor masses did not wear a human face. Many died as a result of shock and hopelessness. The idea behind the exercise was to restore Abuja Master Plan, decongest and depopulate Abuja. Till today, many places demolished have not been developed. Apart from the market, karmo houses civil servants of lower cadre and low income earners. So, the market is very critical for  them.