Abia State Government has fixed October 31, 2026, as the deadline for completing the validation and verification of original shop owners at Ariaria International Market, Aba, ahead of the second phase of the market’s renovation.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti.
Prince Kanu said the state government had directed the Ministry of Trade and Commerce to conclude the verification and validation exercise before construction begins on other sections of the market.
The directive, according to the commissioner, is intended to ensure that original shop owners are not denied access to the newly constructed shops, in keeping with the governor’s promise.
“Let me inform us that with the completion of the A-Line part of the Ariaria International Market, the Abia State Government is poised to commence the construction of other parts of the market.
“In line with the Governor’s promise to ensure that all original shop owners are not denied access to the newly built shops, the Ministry of Trade and Commerce has been directed to conclude the validation of such owners before the commencement of the second phase of renovations.
“The validation exercise will be concluded on the 31st of October 2026”, Prince Kanu said .
He however expressed concern over the slow pace of the verification exercise, attributing the delay to the failure of some original shop owners to take full advantage of the opportunity provided by the government.
“So far, the verification and validation exercises have been slow because the original shop owners are not taking full advantage of this offer from the state government”, the Commissioner noted.
He urged the affected traders to participate in the process to enable the government to establish the identities and claims of the original shop owners before the next phase begins.
