…As Orlu LGA chair Mbarie hikes rentto N12000 per shop
.. Traders cry out
Traders at the Orlu Internationa Market have cried out over what they described as incessant increase in rent or storelage by the authorities of Orlu Local Government Area.
It was learnt that on July 27, 2025, during the market’s monthly prayer session.
Imo International Market traders at Umuna/ Uzoubi in Orlu LGA, witnessed a shocking increase of stolage fees or rent per shop within short notice.
It was further learnt that while the traders awaited the arrival of the Orlu LGA chairman, Pastor Chris Mbaire to the market, Hon.Francis Otumba , who made surprise stand-in for him, as part of his speech,
announced to the traders that the Council chairman,Mbaire, was unavoidably absent and had urged him to convey the rent or storelage increase and other related matters to them.
He said the traders had other critical issues within the market that boarder the council as his office had revisited some of their demands with the view to closing rank in the negotiation and disputes especially, the current contentions regarding the increase in the storelage or rent paid by traders in the market.
Speaking further, he told the traders that the Council Chairman Pastor Mbarie has reviewed the market storelage fee from N6000 to a new fee of N12,000 per shop annually, adding that he and his executives made efforts by achieving the reduction from earlier announcement of 24.000 down 12.0000 with the council chairman.
The market chairman, Hon. Otumba, in his words collaborated his position and blamed the government over constant increases in the storelage fee describing it as unhealthy. He sad it was painful as he was among the traders passing through the same pain, of low patronage. He noted that there is no visible economic developments and empowerment from the government, but that there have been frequent increases culminating in the over blotted insecurity in Orlu area that effected many residents and traders causing their relocation to other cities, and living the market empty.
Mr Utomba,reminded the traders of the earlier announcement regarding the increase to N24000 which led to protest but promised to do more on the reduction.
Continuing, he said, the chairman promised to work in partnership that will bring progress to the people.
He however reminded the traders of the council’s economic development agenda, re-affirming his administration’s dedication to improving the well-being of the people of Orlu through economic development initiatives and the collaboration of the people in the market.
He called on all the past administrations who collected Sanitation levies from the traders during their time to quickly move to market waste dumpsite for immediate evacuation of the exercise for which they collected money from the people, as the council and the market leadership were according to him, working in tandem to bring sanity to the market .
He hinted that sanitation was key to cleaness that promotes good healthy family.
He reminded the former chairmen including Magnus Orlando, Hamoney Ojo and others to see their actions as negligence of duty, and advised them to do the needful.
Hon. Utomadu is being alleged as one of the eyes one of the former chairmen of the market.
In another development Chief Kenneth Osunkwo popularly known as Uche Commando, in his reaction to the Orlu International Market chairman’s statement, advised Hon. Utomba to negotiate more on behalf of the traders as well as appreciate and feel the problem of low business or patronage that worries the traders currently. This is even as he accused the present administration of being selective in the prosecution of past executives. He equally advised the market chairman to implement the market rules without biases or being selective. He added, that “Justice for one is Justice for all.”
The issue of election re-echoed in the market as the traders questioned the rationale behind continuing use of un-elected executives which they described as unhealthy for the smooth running of the market administration.
They called all the authorities concerned to listen to the traders’ voice of reason as their request hinges on public interest.
Efforts made by our correspondent to reach other former chairmen¹1 for audience and comments proved unsuccessful.