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Otti Assures Eziukwu Market Traders of Phased Remodelling
Otti Assures Eziukwu Market Traders of Phased Remodelling
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has assured traders at Eziukwu Road Market, Aba, that the proposed remodelling of the market will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption to businesses and protect their livelihoods.
Governor Otti gave the assurance on Tuesday when elders of the market visited him at Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, to express support for his administration and donate two Toyota Sienna vehicles towards his campaign.
The Governor said the redevelopment of the market was intended to improve trading conditions and would not be undertaken in a manner that would unnecessarily disrupt the businesses of traders.
“The issue of redeveloping the market is something that we need to do, but it will not be done as a punitive measure.
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“It will be done at your convenience. It has to be very convenient for you for us to do it, and we can take it in phases when we are ready to do it.
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“We cannot disrupt your source of livelihood. We are here to support you and your businesses so that you do better”, he said.
Governor Otti explained that the State Government would adopt an approach similar to that used in the remodelling of Ekeoha Shopping Centre, where some traders were relocated to a nearby location to allow work on sections of the facility without unnecessarily displacing them.
The Governor said the same arrangement would be extended to other sections of the shopping centre after the first phase was inaugurated, to allow work on subsequent phases proceed in an orderly manner.
He said his administration was committed to improving the business environment and ensure that economic activities continued during the redevelopment of markets across the state.
Responding to the donation of the vehicles, Governor Otti thanked the market elders for their support and urged market leaders to continue promoting peaceful resolution of disputes among traders.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure and creating an enabling environment for businesses and residents to prosper.
Earlier, a representative of the Eziukwu Road Market aelders, Mr Mike Okoro, said traders had become apprehensive over concerns that the market might be demolished for remodelling without adequate arrangements for their relocation.
Mr Okoro explained that the traders were not opposed to the proposed redevelopment but were concerned about where they would conduct their businesses during the exercise and how they would safeguard their goods and livelihoods.
He said the intervention of the market’s patron, Chief Greg Okafor, helped secure assurances that the project would be properly planned and executed.
According to him, the assurances allayed the traders’ fears and prompted the elders to visit the governor to express their appreciation and reaffirm their support for his administration.
Mr Okoro said the donation of the two Toyota Sienna vehicles was part of the traders’ demonstration of support for Otti’s administration and campaign.
He also commended the governor’s road projects, particularly improvements around the market, noting that they had enhanced access to the area and supported trading activities.
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