By Abubakar Rabilu, Gombe
A food vendor at the Dadin Kowa Motor Park in Gombe State, Hajiya Hauwa Inuwa, has appealed to the state government to reopen the facility, lamenting that its prolonged closure has plunged many traders and transport operators into economic hardship.
Hajiya Hauwa, who has operated a food business at the park for several years, said the closure of the motor park for nearly ten months has severely disrupted the livelihoods of many families whose incomes depend on the daily activities around the transport hub.
She explained that before the shutdown, the park served as a vibrant commercial centre where drivers, passengers and petty traders conducted business daily, thereby sustaining small-scale enterprises in the area.
According to her, the sudden halt in activities at the park has drastically reduced patronage, leaving many traders struggling to meet their basic needs.
“Since the motor park was closed, our businesses have suffered greatly. Many of us who sell food and other items to drivers and passengers are now finding it difficult to survive,” she said.
Hajiya Hauwa noted that several traders are now unable to pay house rent, restock their goods or adequately provide for their families due to the loss of regular customers.
She added that the impact of the closure goes beyond food vendors, as drivers, transport workers and other small-scale traders whose businesses are linked to the park have also been affected.
“The food we used to sell at the motor park was our main source of livelihood. It helped us support our families and meet our daily responsibilities. But now many people have lost their source of income,” she added.
She therefore urged Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya and relevant authorities to urgently review the situation and consider reopening the motor park to ease the hardship being experienced by those who depend on it.
Hajiya Hauwa stressed that reopening the facility would help revive commercial activities in the area and enable traders and drivers to return to their businesses.
She also called on community leaders and other stakeholders to support the appeal, noting that reopening the Dadin Kowa Motor Park would significantly boost local commerce and improve the livelihoods of many residents in Gombe.
