Controversy, alleged sharp practices trail Adamawa market shop allocation
Adamawa State Government Addresses Allocation Issues at Modibbo Adama Modern Market
YOLA, Nigeria — The Adamawa State Government is taking steps to resolve alleged irregularities concerning the allocation of shops at the newly reconstructed Modibbo Adama Modern Market, known locally as MAMMY.
Governor Ahmadu Fintiri officially opened the market on July 14, a project aimed at replacing the old Yola Market, which was demolished following a series of fire incidents, the most recent of which severely damaged the facility last year.
Since the commissioning, prospective shop owners have raised concerns regarding the allocation process, particularly complaints that many former shop owners from the old market were excluded.
Chief Joab Sahma, the Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industries, claimed that leaders of the market union manipulated the allocation list by including the names of individuals who had no prior ownership of shops in the old market. He stated that the government had instructed these union leaders to compile a list of traders with previous ownership to assist in the distribution of shops in the new facility.
According to Sahma, the union submitted a list of 303 former shop owners, to which the government added 47 more beneficiaries, resulting in a total of 350 allocations. However, some genuine former shop owners remain without shops due to the alleged inclusion of ineligible individuals on the beneficiaries’ list.
“Some genuine traders may have been shortchanged because the leaders who collated the lists allegedly substituted names with those of their associates,” Sahma said.
He noted that certain individuals who received shop allocations admitted they had never owned shops in the old Yola Market.
In response to the complaints, the ministry has established a verification committee, led by its Permanent Secretary, to investigate the allegations and identify any traders who were improperly excluded from the allocation process.
Sahma also issued a warning to traders regarding fraudsters reportedly soliciting money from shop seekers with false promises of securing allocations. He disclosed that one suspect had allegedly collected approximately ₦2.3 million from traders under the pretense of having influence to obtain shops before disappearing.
Moreover, Sahma mentioned ongoing investigations into cases of individuals impersonating deceased shop owners to claim allocations intended for them, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring that only legitimate beneficiaries receive shops in the new market.
