Enugu: Nnaji Promises Market Reconstruction, Free Shops and Tax Review

 

By Atlantic Reports

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Enugu State, Uche Nnaji, has promised to rebuild demolished markets and provide free shops to affected traders if elected, placing the restoration of livelihoods among his campaign priorities.

Nnaji also pledged to review the state’s tax regime and remove levies he described as excessive and exploitative, saying traders and small business owners needed relief from the cost of doing business.

The former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation spoke on Sunday while receiving a coalition of community, religious and business groups at his campaign office in Enugu.

The delegation included leaders of the Arewa Northern Forum, traders and artisans displaced from Gariki Market, members of the Inter-Faith Council and representatives of non-indigene communities.

Participants complained about hardship they attributed to market demolitions, multiple taxation and difficulties finding alternative trading spaces.

Restoring traders’ livelihoods

Nnaji said his proposed administration would review the circumstances surrounding the demolitions and develop arrangements to help affected traders resume business.

He argued that the loss of shops and income had placed families under severe pressure, adding that government policies should support wealth creation and citizens’ welfare.

Although he promised replacement markets and free shops, Nnaji acknowledged that the arrangements would depend partly on the resources available to an incoming administration.

The proposals presented at the meeting did not specify construction costs, locations, delivery timelines or how beneficiaries would be selected.

Nnaji also alleged that some people had died following the hardship associated with the demolitions. No supporting figures or evidence establishing a link between the demolitions and those deaths were provided in the account of the meeting.

For displaced traders, the central issue remains access to suitable business premises and the opportunity to restore lost income.

Tax relief and disputed market land

Nnaji said the party’s emerging slogan, “No More Tax”, reflected its intention to address complaints about multiple taxation.

“One of the first things we will do when we assume office is to remove these taxes so that our people can breathe fresh air once again,” he said.

“Our people are being suffocated by the burden they are carrying, and we want them to have relief.”

His remarks focused on taxes he considered burdensome, but did not identify the specific levies proposed for removal or explain how the resulting revenue shortfall would be managed.

The candidate also promised to address disputes involving filling stations situated on land intended for markets.

He said his administration would explore relocating such facilities to alternative sites so that trading activities could resume. Details of the proposed relocation process and arrangements for affected operators were not outlined.

Industrialisation and elderly healthcare

Beyond the market proposals, Nnaji pledged to pursue industrial development in the oil, cement, iron ore and steel sectors, saying these industries could generate direct and indirect employment.

He said his administration would seek progress within two years and support industrial centres with residential estates and new urban communities.

“Around the industrial centres, we intend to establish estates and develop new cities. These will be employment-generating urban centres that can support economic growth and improve people’s living conditions,” he said.

The presentation did not identify investors, committed funding or implementation schedules for the proposed projects.

Nnaji also said his administration was considering free medical care for elderly residents aged between 65 and 70. The proposed eligibility rules, funding and scope of services were not explained.

He said his ambition was to create opportunities for young people and leave a foundation for the state’s future development.

Community leaders seek inclusion

Speaking earlier, the leader of the Arewa Northern Forum, Innocent Iwual, said the association had operated for 19 years and had members across Enugu State.

Iwual said members of the northern community had participated in previous elections but felt disappointed by promises politicians failed to fulfil after taking office.

He urged Nnaji to recognise non-indigenes’ contributions to the state’s political and economic life and ensure their inclusion in government programmes.

A PDP chieftain, Chief Basil Ani, said the gathering included traders affected by market demolitions and non-indigenes supporting Nnaji’s candidacy.

The meeting placed traders’ access to business premises, taxation and community inclusion at the centre of Nnaji’s campaign commitments. How those promises would be funded and delivered remains to be detailed.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.