Controversy, alleged sharp practices trail Adamawa market shop allocation

The Adamawa State Government has begun addressing alleged irregularities in the allocation of shops at the newly reconstructed Modibbo Adama Modern Market, Yola (MAMMY).

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri commissioned the market on July 14. It was built to replace the old Yola Market, which was demolished after a series of fire incidents, the latest of which destroyed a significant portion of the facility last year.

Before and after the commissioning, prospective shop owners raised complaints over the allocation process, with many alleging that former shop owners in the old market were sidelined.

Speaking on the development, the Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industries, Chief Joab Sahma, alleged that market union leaders manipulated the list of beneficiaries by including the names of people who never owned shops in the old market.

According to him, the government had directed union leaders to compile a list of traders who previously owned shops in the market to facilitate fresh allocations in the reconstructed facility.

He said the union leaders submitted a list of 303 former shop owners, while the government added 47 more beneficiaries, bringing the total number of allocations to 350. However, he noted that some genuine former shop owners were still left without shops.

Sahma attributed the situation to the inclusion of ineligible persons 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,” the commissioner said.

He further alleged that some individuals who received allocations admitted they had never owned shops in the old Yola Market.

To address the complaints, Sahma said the ministry had constituted a verification committee, headed by its Permanent Secretary, to investigate the allegations and identify traders who were wrongly excluded from the allocation process.

The commissioner also warned traders against fraudsters allegedly collecting money from shop seekers with false promises of securing allocations.

He disclosed that one suspect allegedly collected about ₦2.3 million from traders by claiming to have the influence to obtain shops before disappearing.

Sahma further alleged that the ministry had uncovered cases of individuals impersonating deceased shop owners to claim allocations meant for them. He said investigations were ongoing to ensure that only legitimate beneficiaries receive the shops.