Market men and women in Sapele town, Delta State, have decried the abandonment of the Sapele market which was razed by fire seven years ago.

Sapele, which is one of the oldest cities in the state, was one of the biggest commercial centres in the 1980’s.

Traders in the market say they have been abandoned by the government as the old market is yet to be restored to a state fit for business.

Hence, the traders have been forced to ply their trade on the roads.

Speaking to Channels Television, one of the market women claims there are up to 5000 people selling their wares on the road.

She alleges that there are plans to give the shops to council members and not the displaced market men and women.

However, the Commissioner for Housing, Paulinus Akpeki, says the traders have not been abandoned; adding that the construction of a new and modern market is going on ‘in phases’.

He adds that in 2012, Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan paid extra monies to the contractor in charge of the project in a bid to fast track the work, maintaining that Zone A of the project has been completed while Zone B is also about to be completed except for painting and electrical works.

He urged the traders to exercise patience until the whole project is concluded.