The Abia State Government has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Rhino Homes, developers of the Ekeoha Shopping Complex, and representatives of the Traders’ Union, for the remodelling and reconstruction of the Ekeoha shopping plaza Aba.
The agreement, signed on Thursday at Government House, Umuahia, marks the formal commencement of phased reconstruction and transformation of the Shopping Complex into a more functional and safe trading environment.
SA to the Governor on Trade Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem
Speaking shortly after the signing of the MoA the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem, who chairs the tripartite committee overseeing the project, described the exercise as a bold step by Governor Alex Otti’s administration to prioritise welfare of the Traders and ensure infrastructural upgrade.
“What essentially happened is that the Governor, Dr Alex Otti, is desirous of having not only a conducive trading atmosphere, but making sure that no one is short-changed in the whole exercise”, Chief Inem stated.
MD/CEO Rhino Homes
The Governor’s Aide recalled the deteriorating condition of the market which prompted the intervention by State Government, citing instances of uncontrolled development and visible structural cracks that posed serious safety threats to traders and shoppers alike.
“If you recall, there was an incident about a year or two ago when we started having some partial collapse of some sections of the market.
“We saw the whole set-up because at the time, Ekoha was developing without control. People were indiscriminately adding structures to the extent that if you go there, you will just see an accident bound to happen.
“No reasonable government would sit down and allow such an accident to happen.”That is the main idea of remodelling and modernising the market set-up”, he said.
Chairman Ekeoha International Market, Mr Emeka Okeke
Chief Inem noted that the phased approach to the reconstruction was deliberately designed to ensure uninterrupted trading activities, adding that temporary relocation arrangements had been made for affected traders.
He disclosed that the tripartite Committee, comprising officials of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, the developers, and representatives of the Traders’ Union was set up to coordinate the transition process and protect the interests of all parties.
“Some certain level of guarantee has to be given to the traders. We have been talking for some time, ensuring that Rhino Homes keeps to the agreement in terms of timely delivery, quality of work and of course, the most important thing which is the right of first refusal to existing shop owners within the market”, Chief Inem emphasized.
According to him, the committee also addressed compensation concerns and worked to ensure that no trader is unfairly displaced or given overbearing costs.
Chief Inem emphasised that protecting the traders’ interests was a key directive from Governor Otti, adding that by the agreement, interest of the genuine traders in Ekeoha shopping plaza has been fairly taken care of.
On the choice of Rhino Homes as the project developer, Chief Inem explained that the company was selected based on its demonstrated capacity, funding ability, and technical expertise.
“Our decision to engage Rhino Homes as a preferred developer is not just out of the blues… He showed ability, he showed capacity and he showed technical know-how to handle such a project”, the Governor’s Aide said.
He added that the committee has instituted a monthly inspection regime to track the progress of work at the market, in addition to oversight from the Ministry’s Monitoring and Evaluation department.
Also, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rhino Homes and properties, Mr. Chinedu Onyeizu, said that the company aims to complete at least 50% of the project by 2027 and added that the second phase of shop demolition will commence in June this year.
While noting that aggressive work has already commenced at the project site, Mr. Onyeizu assured that no existing trader would be displaced at the end of the project, as the company has taken inventory of all genuine shop owners, which has been verified and cleared by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.
“We have taken inventory of all the existing shop owners, we have also sent them to the Ministry of Commerce which have been verified and cleared.
“So what we have done is in addition to giving them right of first refusal, we have also provided them an incentive for them to retain their shops by discounting significantly what we have priced each shop”, Engr. Onyeizu stated.
Contributing, the Chairman of International Market, Mr Emeka Okeke, expressed satisfaction with the level of agreement and the ongoing work at the market.
Mr Okeke said traders are happy with the State Government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for their businesses.
He commended the provision of alternative trading spaces for traders whose shops have been demolished and expressed hope that subsequent phases of the project will maintain the same level of consideration and support.
