Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed his sympathy to the traders of Ariaria market over the recent flood cases recorded in the market.
The governor blamed “torrential rains of the past three days” as being responsible for the flooding of the market, saying the state government lacks power to prevail on rains not to fall in the markets.
In a statement on Monday, the governor through the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu directed the developer of the market, Blessed Henken International Company Limited to commence excavation and construction of a 2-metre width culvert across Faulks Road from A-line to channel storm water from the construction area to Waterside River in Aba through Faulks/Osusu Road drainage way.
This directive which came after a meeting with the traders and stakeholders is to “conclusively deal with the perennial flooding challenges experienced by traders since inception of the market” the government says.
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According to the state government, the extension of the ongoing reconstruction project at Omuma Road, Aba, to include connection of the wide drains to the Ifeobara area to provide alternative channel for gradient flow of storm water to the natural collection points at waterside river.
The statement reads in part, “Market committee, project monitoring team and ministry of trade and investment officials to embark on the immediate assessment and evaluation of the extent of damage done to goods of affected traders by the rainfalls with a view to recommending appropriate financial and other support from the government to them.
“Two years tax waiver to all the traders affected by the ongoing remodeling of A-line in Airiaria International Market including exemption from payment of revenues collected by state and local government agents in the market.
“While the construction of high quality shop structures in A-line will continue, we have mobilized needed resources to ensure that as soon as the rains abate construction of A-line road and associated drains will commence and conclude within the coming dry season window. We therefore wish to seek the continuing partnership, support and understanding of our traders and visitors to the market for the successful execution of this phase of the project which will deliver modern market infrastructure to generations of traders.
“Politicians and their agents attempting to instigate crisis in the market are advised in their own interests to desist from such course as the government has directed security agents to deal decisively with trouble makers and their sponsors. We have also received information on plots by politically sponsored hoodlums to hide behind this nature induced challenges to unleash destruction and looting of goods belonging to innocent traders in the market.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has therefore directed Security agents in the state to ensure protection of the market and the traders as well as deal decisively with trouble makers and their sponsors.”
