BY FAVOUR PERCY-IDUBOR /BENIN
BARELY few weeks after the installation of the market leader, popularly know as Iye Eki in Edo State, Madam Josephine Ibhaguezejele, traders in various markets across the three senatorial districts in the state are lamenting the harsh and ill-treatment being meted on them.
Traders of Agbado and Osa Market took to the streets, yesterday, to register their displeasure, asking for the immediate removal of Josephine Ibhaguezejele as Iyeki,
While Agbado Market traders protested extortion and ill-treatment on them by the new state Iyeki, Madam Josephine Ibhaguezejele, the traders at osa market expressed concern on the slow pace of reconstruction of the market which was gutted by fire in December 2019 and activities of middle men in constitution of traders list.
Some of the traders accused the said Iyeki of collecting money ranging from N50,000, to N150,000 and other items for appointive positions in the market, calling on government to investigate the issue. The traders, who were affected in the matter at Agbado Market, were Amieboh Emmanuel, Chairman, Amadi Comfort, Iyeki, Esther Odunsili, Vice iyeki, and Daisy Ayeni, Secretary.
Led by the president of welfare traders’ union in Edo State, Comrade Lucky Orukpe, the traders were at the state office of the Department of State Security (DSS) and then to Edo State Government house.
Registering their protest in Government House, Orukpe said the actions of the new Iyeki was against the programs and policies of the Monday Okpebholo-led administration with respect to the traders welfare.
He recalled that the governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo on assumption of office, banned all forms of illegal collections inimical to the well-being of traders.
The president expressed shock that Madam Josephine Ibhaguezejele, who cried foul during the last administration is acting in that manner.
He, therefore, called on the governor and the Oba of Benin to install a new Iyeki that will deal with traders with human face.
Orukpe also appealed to the governor not to deal with the new iyeki in the disbursement of the free interest loan while he promised traders.
Appealing to the traders, on behalf of the state government ,Pius Alile assured government intervention on the issue, while scheduling a meeting with the market leaders.
Efforts to reach the Iyeki, Madam Josephine Ibhaguezejele to react to the issue via phone call interview proved abortive.
