Rivers State Government has commenced the demolition of the popular Trans-Amadi/Oginigba Slaughter Market in Port Harcourt.

State Governor Nyesom Wike had shut down all markets in the state last year at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

He later reopened other markets except the Oginigba Slaughter and Oil Mill markets, amid traders cry, Peoples Gazette reported.

The governor, however, in July, reopened the Oil Mill Market but announced that the Slaughter Market will remain shut, disclosing that a new abattoir will be built in Mgboushimini in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

The Trans-Amadi slaughter market has long been described as the biggest abattoir with dozens of people from far and near, patronising butchers in the market.

Baba Musa-Ahmad, chairman of Association of Butchers at the market told The Gazette that the state government failed to allocate a new market pending the construction of the proposed abattoir.

“I learnt the new abattoir is about 21 plots while the one they destroyed is about 120 plots”, he said, lamenting that the proposed abattoir would not be enough for traders and butchers.

“Places we thought the governor won’t destroy, including the place the governor fenced were demolished with peoples properties.

“Currently, they are scattering the place. But, the mosque is yet to be destroyed”, Mr Musa told The Gazette on telephone.

The Gazette gathered the demolition team Wednesday evening moved their equipment to the market, leaving a few traders to salvage their properties from the market.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Fred Kpakol, in August, told reporters that soonest, a new project will be built on the demolished Trans-Amadi slaughter.

“All occupants and those doing business in Slaughter at Trans Amadi are hereby advised to pack out of that land and premises on or before one month as the government intends to do a new project in that area,” Tribune quoted the Mr Kpakol to have said.