Abia State government has warned against illegal entry into the reconstruction site of A Line section of Ariaria International Market Aba, saying non adherence will lead to arrest and prosecution of offenders.
This is following a reported trapping and subsequent rescue of scavengers on the site who went on illegal demolition of a structure in search of disused steels.
The already compromised structure was said to have fell, trapped and injured the scavengers, a statement made available to ABN TV by the Chairman, Media Sub-Committee Project Implementation and Monitoring Committee on the Rebuilding of Ariaria International Market, Ugochukwu Alaribe said.
He said despite cordoning off the affected reconstruction site, the scavengers forcefully gained access to it, started demolishing what was left of the buildings in search of disused steel, wire and other materials to cart away.
“While the trapped scavengers have since been rescued and are now receiving medical attention, we are glad to announce that no life was lost in the incident.
“Scavengers and other youths have been obstructing excavating machines at the site while searching for disused iron and other materials while others have broken into shops and looted goods stored in them by traders. Just last week, the rubble also fell on some scavengers who sustained severe injuries as they went in search of disused materials in the active site” Alaribe said.
The committee he said had warned that the daily upsurge in the number of scavengers in reconstruction site is delaying the efforts of the developers to meet up with the December deadline set by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to deliver a modern market and hand over shops to all allottees.
He also insists that it poses great danger to the scavengers and other unauthorised persons.
The committee therefore advised parents to warn their children to keep off the project site as security agents have been placed on red alert to arrest and prosecute defaulters.
