Geidam residents bemoan continuous market closure

Farmers, traders and residents of Geidam town have frowned at the eight months closure of their market but commended Governor Mai Mala Buni, on his effort to reopen it.

The market was closed down by the Nigerian Army to halt food and logistics supply in their final push to defeat Boko haram insurgents in the area.

However, the governor, has during a Town Hall meeting in Potiskum, assured residents and traders of his effort to ensure that all markets in the state that were closed by the military are reopened soon.

Chairman Harmonize Traders Association, in Geidam, Alhaji Abba Abdulrashid, decried that the prolonged market closure had forced over 2,000 traders into bankruptcy.

He said that since the market was closed, almost all the traders used their capital to feed their families and settle other financial obligations.

“Out of 2,800 registered members we have, less than 20 per cent who have capital to move on with their businesses. We all have eaten into our capitals and many others are indebted,” he said.

He said the traders economic misfortune began in 2014 when 2,800 shops were burnt by Boko haram insurgents.

“We lost over N2 billion in that unfortunate incident but no support was given to us by either the state or federal government.”

He reminded President Muhammadu Buhari that people of Geidam had sacrificed their lives and voted for him despite Boko Haram attack on the 2019 presidential election day.

“Many people that fled the Boko haram attack on presidential election day later returned and voted. We gave the president over 20,000 votes, hoping that things will change but nothing has changed. Our market is still closed and the town gate still closes by 5:00 p.m.,” he said.

He noted that the closure of the town had blocked lots of revenue for government and income earners, which is coming from neighboring countries like Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

Idris Alhaji Baffa, Public Relations Officer of the chamber of commerce in Geidam, commended the effort of Governor Mai Mala Buni to reopen the market and restore the livelihood of people.

He said the closure had led to the collapse of the businesses of more than 50,000 people ranging from farmers, labourers, buyers, sellers and transporters.

“We learnt that the governor is using his contacts to ensure that the market returns to normal very soon. We must sincerely commend and appreciate him for that,” he said.