By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Abia State Government has, once again, reaffirmed its commitment towards remodelling and reconstructing all the major markets in the State with a view to bringing them in line with national and global best standards.
It has also pledged to right all the wrongs and ameliorate the pains which may have been inflicted on the traders, business owners and other stakeholders by previous dispensations in the state.
The Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emmanuel Emereuwa, who disclosed this on Wednesday, April 24, during a working tour of the popular Eziukwu Road International Market, Ohabiam Market, the site of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Aba South Local Council Headquarters and a proposed Government infrastructural Development site all in Aba, said plans have been concluded to scale up infrastructural facilities in Abia major markets to create ease of business transactions .
The Speaker who was accompanied on the visit by the Director- General of the Greater Aba Development Authority GADA, Uche Ukejeh, and Mayor of Aba South Local Council, informed that the aim of the working tour is to have first hand information on the state of the Markets and their areas of needs
“The inspection tour signifies the genuine intentions of the Abia state Government led by Governor Alex Otti,to re energise and fast track the growth and development of the economy of the state and improve the living conditions of the people.
“This visit is to reassure the traders, the Aba business community and residents that the Abia state Government is committed to changing the narratives .
“We have brought message of hope to the long neglected traders and residents of Aba .The proposed infrastructural development project is for the purpose of providing improved infrastructural facilities ,which in turn will enhance economic opportunities and bring about better quality of living for our people ” Rt Hon Emereuwa stated.
In his remarks ,the Chairman of Eziukwu Road International Market ,who is also the President of Abia State Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, while expressing the appreciation of the Government over its plan to uplift the standards of Abia Markets, described the visit by the Speaker as truly reassuring.
He noted that Aba Traders, the Abia business communities ,and overwhelming majority of Abians are grateful for the massive infrastructural renewal ongoing in every part of the state .
Chief Udeigbo, who is also the Chairman of all Chairmen of Aba Markets said the traders are optimistic that major markets in the state will be transformed into ultra modern facilities,just as major infrastructural facilities in Aba are being presently rehabilitated .
The ASMAT President , pledged the continued and unwavering support of Abia traders to the Dr Otti led administration in the state ,noting that he has earned the respect and understanding of not just traders and business actors ,but also the larger part of the populace.
