Igbo Traders Set To Protest In Plateau As JMDB Impound 4 Truck Loads Of Perishable Goods

Yakubu Busari

The Igbo Traders in Plateau State Capital have concluded the plan to embark on a peaceful protest for the alleged policy of the government agency, Jos Metropolitan Development Board,(JMBD ) on Thursday last week impounding two trailer loads of Late Pa Okonkwo truck and two behind UBA.

The spokesperson for the traders, Chief Joseph Igwe Sam disclosed that the Igbo Traders are law-abiding citizens and that they also applauded the new policy of preventing trailers, and trucks from coming into the town to ease transportation and prevent constant accidents.

He said, the ideas had brought sanity to the business community within the Jos /Bukuru metropolis but where their trucks are packed in front of the warehouses the JMBD staff would still pursue to impound them.

Igwe appealed to the Plateau State Government to carefully advise those saddled with the responsibility of enforcement of the ban to review the process of that law that creates grey areas between the traders and the authority concerned.

He stated that the two trailers load of perishable goods were packed in front of Okonkwo Plaza one belonging to Micheal O.Omezu behind UBA in Rwang Pam Street the JMBD staff led by the General Manager, Hon.Hart Bonkat stormed the warehouses and impounded 4 trucks towing them to their office.

Joseph Igwe explained further that as one of the Igbo community leaders, we are calling on Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang administration to consider that the only warehouse they have is their plazas which they remain the avenue to upload their goods.

He reiterated that as businessmen they adhere strictly to the law banning the illegal movement of trailers/ trucks but whenever they’re packed in front of the wire houses it shouldn’t be a yardstick for government agencies to harass and intimidate the owners.

Igwe advocated that the space adjacent state library within Prof Bento indoor theater should be donated to trailers for the main time to reduce their plight.

We are also appealing to the government to create routes outside the state capital to cushion the hardship being experienced as a result of the ban where heavy vehicles should be assembled to avoid unnecessary accidents and gridlock within the town.

The community is not aware of the law that follows the traders to the warehouses, meanwhile, an effort to speak with GM, Hart Bonkat proved abortive as his contact is switched off.