Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has assured traders in Aba that no existing shop owners will lose their shops in the ongoing remodelling of Ariaria International Market and Ekeoha Market.
The governor gave the assurance on Thursday at the Michael Okpara Auditorium while receiving a delegation of the National Executive Council of the National Association of Nigerian Traders.
Otti said original shop owners would enjoy the first right of refusal before any shop is allocated to others, stressing that he had issued firm instructions to that effect.
“What we call first right of refusal will be given to existing shop owners. It is only when you decide you don’t want your shop that it can be sold to someone else,” he said.
“That instruction is sacrosanct. Nobody can go against it. Anyone who does so is taking a risk. If I find out that a shop owner was denied this right, I will reverse whatever allocation has been made.”
The governor further assured that the number of shops under construction would be sufficient to accommodate both existing owners and prospective traders.
Acknowledging the prevailing economic hardship across the country, Otti disclosed that the state government had partnered with two or three banks to provide soft financing options for traders who may lack the liquidity to pay for their remodelled shops.
“We understand the economic circumstances. In the unlikely event that a shop owner is unable to pay at the time, the banks will provide soft accommodation,” he explained.
“So, nobody will lose a shop because of temporary financial difficulty. You only lose your shop if you choose not to take it.”
Otti, however, ruled out allowing traders to develop the shops themselves, insisting that the government must guarantee quality and standardisation.
“Some people want to turn themselves into developers. That will not work. You can’t give what you don’t have,” he said, adding that his administration would not compromise construction standards.
He directed the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, the Director-General of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and the Director-General of the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) to ensure clear and consistent communication with traders on the remodelling process.
“This is not a government that is happy when people are unhappy. We want our people taken care of and not cheated,” Otti said.
“Nobody will be cheated under my watch.”
Earlier, the National President of the association, Dr Ken Ukoha, who led the leadership of Ariaria and Ekeoha markets and traders from across the country, commended the governor’s achievements, particularly in market infrastructure and economic reforms.
“We heard that Abia has changed for good. We heard that good things are happening,” Ukoha said.
“The markets that used to suffer from flooding, dilapidation and poor roads are being transformed. In the last two days, we have gone round and seen the giant strides. We say thank you.”
He also praised the governor for appointing technocrats and improving the ease of doing business in the state.
However, in line with submissions by market chairmen, Ukoha appealed to the governor to allow traders to participate in the remodelling process in order to safeguard their shop ownership.
