By Onilede Titi Faith
Traders at the Zone 3 Neighbourhood Centre in Abuja have expressed frustration over worsening business conditions that they say threaten their survival.
They cite space constraints, parking shortages, high rents, and poor sanitation as major challenges.
Furniture dealer Mr. Obiora Iheanacho said cramped shop fronts make operations difficult, while abandoned vehicles clog available parking spaces, posing safety risks.
Another trader, Mr. Obiora Okeke, urged the FCT authorities to remove abandoned vehicles to improve access for customers.
Rising rents are also squeezing traders. Mrs. Blessing Joseph lamented that annual shop rents now range from ₦1.5 million to ₦2 million, beyond the reach of many small-scale operators. She called on the government to regulate rent prices to protect struggling businesses.
Sanitation is another sore point. Mrs. Martha Ubeh described the market’s entrance toilets as “embarrassing and unhealthy,” warning of potential health hazards.
The traders are appealing for urgent intervention, from infrastructure upgrades and rent control to improved hygiene, to ensure the safety, dignity, and viability of commerce in the market.
