Chairman of the Ariaria International Market, Aba, Abia State, Elder Emeka Igara, has said that the traders at the market adopted the PDP governorship candidate, Prof. Uche Ikonne, because they strongly believe in his capacity to continue with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s legacies having worked with him.
Igara, who spoke over the concern of the affected traders that they fear losing their shops after the ongoing remodeling of the A Line, C line and Medical Line of the market, explained that the traders are committed to electing a trader friendly governor in the 2023 election.
The state government had in September 2021 asked traders at the three lines to vacate their shops to enable remodeling works to commence at the market.
Some of the affected traders said with the few months to the expiration of Ikpeazu’s tenure, they stand the risk of losing their shops when the remodeling works are completed, a Vanguard report says.
However, Igara reiterated the position of the state government that no displaced trader would lose his shop after the remodeling of the market
His words; “We have interacted and continue to interact with the state government and relevant authorities concerned. We have been strongly assured that all affected shop owners will definitely have their shops back.
“All the traders need to do now is to cooperate with and support the government so that it will succeed in the overall interest of everybody. This is one the reasons why we the traders have resolved to back the aspirations of Prof. Uche Ikonne to succeed Gov Ikpeazu.
“There is no need to toy with the investments of traders; we strongly believe that Prof. Ikonne will continue with the legacies of Gov Ikpeazu, having been working closely with him. We understand that it is normal for the affected shop owners to be worried, especially now that the Governor is preparing to hand over power to another person.
“However, we want to assure the traders that the government is mindful of their concerns and is working to ensure that a trader-friendly successor emerges come 2023. We reassure the affected traders and shop owners that they will all have their shops back.”
