“Governor Otti Assures Traders They Won’t Lose Shops Amid Ekeoha Market Remodelling”
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has officially launched the remodelling of Ekeoha Market in Aba, addressing traders’ concerns about the impact of the project on their businesses. During the flag-off ceremony, Otti assured the traders that the redevelopment, which is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), would not lead to them losing their original shops.
Otti emphasized that the market would not be demolished immediately but rather rebuilt in phases, addressing fears of sudden displacement. He reassured the traders that their interests would be protected throughout the process.
“This project has become very necessary to avert an imminent disaster,” Otti said. He referenced a previous incident in July 2023, which, although not resulting in loss of life, highlighted the need for timely action to prevent further issues.
Otti acknowledged that the cost of owning shops in the newly remodelled market might increase due to current building material prices. However, he assured that financial assistance would be available for those genuinely interested in acquiring new shops. The new market will include modern facilities such as CCTV cameras for enhanced security and a regular power supply to improve the trading environment.
Addressing concerns raised by traders, Otti stated, “I am aware that there is discomfort amongst a certain section of traders about the cost of the project and this is understandable in view of the challenging economic realities in the land.” He assured them that the new structures would be larger, better, and more modern than the existing ones.
The Governor’s reassurances come after a peaceful protest by a group of Ekeoha Market traders led by Chris Uruakpa and Tochukwu Oguguo. The traders, while supporting the remodelling project, expressed concerns about potential loss of their shops or being priced out of the market after reconstruction.
Otti’s commitment aims to address these concerns and ensure a smooth transition for traders during the market’s redevelopment.