Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State
Abia maps N50m subsidy on Ahia Ohuru shops
[From BONIFACE OKORO, Umuahia]
Abia Government says it has set aside the sum of N50 million for subsidising the cost of shops at the remodelled Ahia Ohuru Market on Ngwa Road in Aba.
Abia State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, who revealed this to traders during a town hall meeting at Hotel Du Golf in Aba, told his audience that the remodelled shops at Lines 1 and 2 would be ready for allocation before Christmas.
However, he emphasised that only the first 100 traders who subscribe and return to the new shops would benefit from the N50 million government subsidy.
The Commissioner also assured that the Governor would personally hand over the allocation papers to the beneficiaries at a date to be announced soon.
Okiyi pledged that traders displaced as a result of the demolition of the market would be given preferential treatment when the allocation begins, adding that the Governor has directed that none of them should lose their shop.
He reiterated Governor Ikpeazu’s commitment to leave a lasting impact in Aba and Abia State as a whole, assuring that Port Harcourt, Ngwa, Ohanku, Obohia Roads and other ongoing road projects in Aba would be completed.
The Commissioner emphasized the importance of Port Harcourt Road to Ahịa Ọhụrụ market, stating that work would commence there next week.
He lamented that heavy rainfall this year impacted negatively on the pace of work at on ongoing different road projects across the city, describing it as natural occurrence beyond human control.
“Our hardworking traders should exercise more patience as Governor Ikpeazu has resolved to complete all ongoing projects in consonance with his promise not to abandon any project started by his administration,” he said.
Responding, the traders who expressed appreciation to the government for organizing the meeting to update them on such critical matters affecting them, restated their support for the Governor Ikpeazu-led administration and promised to continue to work with the developer handling the Ahịa Ọhụrụ market remodelling project to ensure its timely completion.
The meeting had in attendance, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment, Hon Kalu A. Orji, the Managing Director of Peacock Urban Regeneration Corporation Ltd (developers), Dr. Uju Anusionwu and Chairman of Ngwa Road Market Committee, Mr Chijindu Ojogho.
