The Chairman of South East Spare Parts Amalgamated Integrated Assembly, Chief John Absalam has commended Benue State Governor, Rev. Father Hyacinth Alia for the return of peace in the state, particularly Gboko, which used to be hot bed for ethnic conflicts.
Speaking at the inauguration of the executive members of the assembly in Abuja, Chief Absalam said most of them recorded economic losses while doing business in Benue State in the past, and had to relocate to Abuja to start life afresh.
“Most of us here today were successful spare parts dealers in Benue State, especially Gboko but because of the perennial ethnic crisis in that town we lost all our earning and have to leave and start life afresh elsewhere.
“I want to thank the current Governor of Benue State, Father Hyacinth Alia for making sure that the ugly experience of the past does not reoccur. There is peace in the state, especially ethnic crisis has subsided,” he said.
Absalam recalled that one of his colleagues with the biggest spare parts shop at the Gboko main Market, Adike Gerald Onyemaechi, who lost all his life earnings after his shop was completely burnt down during the 2017-2018 ethnic crisis in Gboko had to relocate to Cyprus to seek greener pastures.
“One of my colleagues, Adike Gerald Onyemaechi, who had the biggest spare parts shop at the Gboko main Market lost everything during the 2017-2018 crisis, and some of the companies where he bought goods of credit were on his neck and he had to relocate abroad to look for money and pay them. It is a pathetic story but I am happy we are here today,” Absalam added.