June 12: Imo Residents Sue For Peace
Victor Nwachukwu and Ugonne Uzoma
POLITICS DIGEST – A cross-section of Imo residents have appealed for peace to enable the state to recover from series of traumatic events as it celebrates Democracy Day.
Some of the residents, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Owerri, reported that citizens were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rising insecurity.
The people recalled that the #EndSARS protests of October 2020 had contributed to the hardships currently faced by citizens of the country.
They also said that continuous attacks by gunmen had crippled some businesses in the state particularly bars, restaurants as well as hotels.
Chief Elias Nwaiwu, a businessman, said that his business was not able to recover after factors such as COVID-19 and #EndSARS militated against it.
Nwaiwu said a fresh wave of protests would set the state back and also give rise to a new set of problems.
“Since the COVID-19 lockdown, lots of businesses have been struggling to recover; most of us had to dip into our business capital to fend for ourselves.
”The protests in October 2020 came with its problems which also pushed us back and now, this year, we’ve been besieged by criminals who want to finish us.
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“We have enough problems already and if a new protest begins it will give room for miscreants to unleash more terror than we have already seen,” he said.
Similarly Charles Ononuju, a restaurant owner, said that he disengaged some employees because of poor patronage.
“My business thrives in the evening. Owerri had a vibrant nightlife and we made good profits on daily basis.
“However, since the recent attacks by these hoodlums, people are afraid to venture out at night and our business has suffered for it.
“I no longer have need for most of my employees and have had to sack them pending when things return to normal,’’ Ononuju said.
He called for peace in the state to enable businesses to recover and avoid creating opportunities for hoodlums to operate.
Also, Mr Suleiman Haruna, a butcher, said “I am happy that there is movement and economic activities are on top gear today.
“I commend security operatives and Nigerians generally for our nationalistic spirit in the face of challenges.’’
A food vendor, Mrs Flora Uwakwe, thanked the state government for ensuring peace across the state which was favorable to her business as she had already made considerable sales.
Uwakwe, however, said she did not remember today as Democracy Day when she began to prepare food items for sale.
However, the state remained calm with no protests or attacks as human and vehicular movement operated smoothly. (NAN)
