Panic in Ariaria Market: Traders Gripped by Fear as fresh Demolition Looms in A-Line ahead of fresh remodelling plans There’s rising fear, tension, and apprehension in Ariaria International Market, Aba — particularly around A-Line — as news of a fresh phase of remodeling begins to make the rounds. This fear is not coming from nowhere. It is rooted in the bitter experience of traders affected by the first phase of the remodeling, which left many displaced, devastated, and mourning the loss of not just their shops, but their means of livelihood — and in some tragic cases, even lives. At the center of the controversy is the developer behind the ongoing reconstruction in the already troubled flank of the market. Traders accuse him of selling off the newly developed shops to the highest bidders, ignoring the original shop owners and denying them the "Right of First Refusal." Now, some traders who spoke with ENYIMBA FM are alleging that he is sponsoring another contractor — operating by proxy — to commence demolition on the second side of A-Line, where more than 15 zones are reportedly marked, affecting over 12,000 traders and potentially displacing nearly 50,000 people when dependents are counted. What is raising even more eyebrows is the claim that this new wave of activity is being carried out under the cover of alleged approval from the state government — a claim yet to be independently verified. Traders say the boldness with which beams have already been placed within the market suggests the backers believe they have political cover. The most troubling part? There has been no official interface with traders. No discussions on cost, payment plans, timelines, or even plans for temporary relocation. And the first phase — which is still under construction — hasn’t even been completed, yet parts of it have already been sold off, leaving former owners stranded and hopeless. Their suggestions? Demolish in phases, engage multiple contractors to speed up the process, and most importantly — talk to the traders.