Ethnic clashes and implications for economy
In many respects, these are not the best of times for Nigerians whose psyche are daily traumatized by incidents that seem to be eruptions from socio-economic frustration, disenchantment with an oppressive system, bottled up grievances, or mutual suspicions, distrust and hate. Besides the destructive impact of terrorist activities in the North Eastern part of the country, Nigerian citizens have been subjected to the harsh realities of dwindling oil revenue, hyper inflation amidst crippling illiquidity, suffocating power situation, uncertainty in a rudderless economy, among others.
Adding salt to these painful injuries are frequent ethnic clashes that seem to have taken centre stage in many communities in recent times. How negatively these have impacted on social relationships, family cohesion, household stability and income, and the economy at large can only be left to the imagination.
Only recently, the Hausa and Yoruba communities clashed at the popular Mile 12 Market in Lagos over what could, ordinarily, have been regarded as a peccadillo, but was allowed to snowball into a conflagration that consumed human lives, and destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
This incident, which led to the killing of about 10 people, burning of residential and commercial houses, and cars, compelled the Lagos State government to close down the market, throwing all the traders and sundry ‘workers’ in the market out of business until further notice.
A 30-year old market located in the Ketu Local Government Area of Lagos, Mile 12 is an ethnic melting pot with traders from different ethnic groups in Nigeria which include the host Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri, Ibibio, Fulani, Efik, Edo, Igala, Idoma, and Ebira among others. It is, in a sense, the clearing house for all the farm produce from different parts of the country which is why all fruits, tomatoes, pepper, onions, yam, yam flour, vegetable and palm oils and other numerous edible food items are found in the market at relatively cheap prices.
We are deeply concerned about the impact of the closure of this market not only on the Lagos state revenue profile, but also on the traders and other stakeholders, especially the farmers whose produce have been wasting since the closure of the market early this month. It is estimated that over N2.75 billion has been lost since the market was closed. We are pained by this because, whether at individual or corporate level, the country can ill-afford this huge loss at a time when the economy is struggling and people are living their lives by half.
We are all the more concerned that the traders are, increasingly, moving their wares to the Kara Market—a thriving cow and ram market in the neighbouring Ogun State— which is notorious for its filthy and unconducive environment for farm produce, particularly tomato, onion and pepper. It is unhealthy for that kind of trading to be allowed there considering the implication of such activity to human health and the environment generally. Keeping farm produce side by side with cow dung is not just an eye-sore, but also a conscious way of jeopardizing the health of consumers.
The colossal loss in revenue so far suffered, family dislocations and a lot more underscore the need for peaceful and harmonious co-existence of ethnic nationalities in the country, hence the imperative of pursuit of peace by all and sundry and at all cost.
These have also thrown up the lapses in government’s responsibilities in matters of promoting peace and harmony among the people. Lagos is, arguably, a cultural melting pot and as a cosmopolitan city, it has people of diverse cultural and social backgrounds living together within its, albeit, small land mass.
We hope and wish that the assurance by the Lagos State government to the residents that government will not shy away from its responsibilities to protect lives and property and to deal decisively with criminal elements who fan the embers of ethnic strife would be followed through. It is our wish too that Lagos will continue to be home to every Nigerian irrespective of tribe or ethic affiliation, and we join the government in urging residents to continue to be law abiding, put aside religious and ethnic sentiments and see one another as brothers and sisters.