…Unveils Govt Mortgage Packages, Capital Support For Traders
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem has reassured traders at the Ekeoha Shopping Plaza, Aba that the planned reconstruction of the market by government is being undertaken with their best interests at heart.
Chief Inem who gave the reassurance during a recent Stakeholders’ Engagement and Fact-Finding Visit at the market, emphasized that the state government is committed to creating a safer and more conducive trading environment.
Recall that Governor Otti had recently flagged off the remodeling and reconstruction of the market with a firm assurance that no shop owner would lose their business during the process.
While the initiative is widely recognized as a positive step towards improving the market’s infrastructure, many traders are apprehensive on losing out as well as the potential impact on their businesses.
Chief Nwaka Inem (middle) and his team during an inspection tour of the market
But, Chief Inem who is also the Chairman, Ekeoha Remodeling Committee, allayed their fears of displacement during the meeting, assuring them that government has carefully planned the timing, phases, and transition process of the remodeling project to minimize disruption to their businesses.
He said; “The decision to reconstruct and remodel the Market is driven by the government’s desire to ensure that traders operate in a secure and structurally sound environment”.
Pictures of some structural defects in the market
Chief Inem highlighted that some buildings in the market currently suffer from structural defects and poor accessibility, which pose significant risks to both traders and customers describing the defects as “accidents waiting to happen“.
Some collapsed portions of the market
The Governor’s Aide assured traders that government is actively working on Mortgage packages to help genuine traders secure ownership of shops in addition to making provisions to ensure that traders have sufficient capital to continue their businesses once the project is completed.
“No decision will be made against the traders’ interests.All decisions regarding the remodeling process would be made with the full consultation of the affected parties.
“Government will take every trader’s interest into due consideration”, Chief Inem assured.
Ekeoma Shopping Plaza, Aba
He commended Governor Alex Otti’s approach to negotiations and engaging directly with the traders pointing that “Negotiation is not a sign of weakness on the part of government but a sign of respect and love for the traders”.
“This administration sees itself as an integral part of the trading community and is committed to ensuring that no one is left behind”.
Chief Barth Azubuike
Also speaking the Grand Patron, Ekeoha Shopping Plaza, Chief Chief Barth Azubuike, and the Chairman of the Market, Mr Emeka Okeke, acknowledged that while the market’s remodeling is a positive initiative, the traders are more concerned with the modalities of how the market’s reconstruction will be carried out, and not opposing the government’s decision.
Mr Emeka Okeke
They assured that as Members of the remodeling committee, which includes representatives from the government and the developer, they would advocate for the traders’ interests and expressed gratitude to the Governor’s aide for his strong assurances.
From L-R SSA to the Governor on Public Communications, Mr Dodo Okafor and Chief Nwaka Inem
In a vote of thanks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Communication, Mr Dodo Okafor thanked Chief Inem and his team for taking up the stakeholders engagement and fact finding visit and reiterated that no trader would be short changed of what is legitimately theirs.
The meeting also included an inspection tour of Ekeoha Market and the GSM Market, where the traders are expected to relocate temporarily pending the market’s reconstruction.
