Business owners protest planned eviction by SMEDAN


Business owners under the aegis of the Association of Micro- Entrepreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN) have called on the government to stop the planned eviction of thier businesses by the Industrial Development Centre, SMEDAN Ikorodu, Lagos. The business owners who displayed placards with various inscriptions like “STOP the Eviction of Entrepreneurs in IDC Ikorodu” ” CJ Nwoke wants to kill small industries in Nigeria” displayed letter signed by one Mrs Chinyere Nwoke for the Director General IDC Ikorodu that they have been given ten days to move thier businesses from the premises of IDC.

The protest, which took place at the Small And Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) office in Lagos yesterday, saw the business owners protesting and chanting solidarity songs as they urged the Federal Government to protect small business owners. President of AMEN Prince Saviour Iche, while addressing journalists during the protest, said hundreds of workers will be thrown out of work if the small business vacate the IDC Ikorodu.
He said: “Our members operating thier manufacturing businesses in the Industrial Development Centre Ikorodu Lagos were served impromptu letter on January 29, 2018 mandating them to leave with thier production machines and heavy equipment latest by February 9, 2018.

“The letters were duly signed by the state coordinator in charge of the centre, Mrs CJ Nwoke, accompanied by a copy of an internal memo duly signed by the Director of Engineering, Technology and Infrastructure Mr. Abu Ozigi.” Also speaking on the plight of the entrepreneurs, Mr. Saviour Odoh, said: “Our plight started after we demanded evidence of payment we made for regular maintenance to Mrs CJ Nwoke. We have tried to fix the bad water at the centre but our efforts were frustrated by her. “A sudden notice of ten days to evict us is tantamount to killing small businesses and throwing many youths who we have gainfully employed into crime.” When contacted, Nwoke said: “I am a ministry worker. I cannot talk to journalists.”
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