Market Remodeling : No Shop Owner Will Lose Shop In Aba — Governor Otti Reiterates.
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, has reiterated that no existing shop owner will lose his shop in the ongoing remodelling projects in Ariaria International Market and Ekeoha Market in Aba .
Governor Otti stated this on Thursday, at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, while receiving a delegation of the National Executive Council of the National Association of Nigerian Traders.
The Governor said that, the original shop owners would be given the first right of refusal, before deciding otherwise, informing the delegation that, he has handed down instructions to that effect.
The State Chief Executive also assured that the number of shops being built are enough to accommodate both the existing owners and the prospective ones.
“what we call first right of refusal will be given to existing shop owners. It’s only when you don’t want, when you elect that you don’t want your shop, that it could be sold to somebody else.
“And that instruction is sacrosanct. And nobody, nobody can go against it. Anybody that goes against it, is just taking a risk.
“If I find out that people who had shops were not given their right of first refusal, I will reverse whatever they have done,” Gov. Otti reassured.
Gov. Otti noted that he understands the economic circumstances in the entire country, hence, he made arrangements with some banks to enable them finance those who lack the liquidity to pay for their remodelled shop(s).
“Because we understand the economic circumstances in the entire country. We have made arrangements with, I think two or three banks.
“Just in the unlikely event that existing shop owners are unable to pay for the new shops. Those banks will provide some soft accommodation for the shop owners.
“So that you wouldn’t lose your shop, just because you didn’t have liquidity at that time. So, you only lose your shop if you don’t want it. Because if it is that you don’t have money, we have made arrangements where you can get money. So, we have made those arrangements.
“Now, what I found out is that some people want to turn themselves into developers. It is not going to work. You can’t give what you don’t have. Because if we allow you to develop the shops, you will still go and look for somebody that will do it,” Gov. Otti maintained.
The State Chief Executive emphasised that he is not going to authorise the traders to develop the shops by themselves because, he cannot guarantee the standard they will build it, saying that his government does not compromise quality.
Governor Otti directed the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce’s, DG PPP and DG GADA to ensure that what the government is doing in the remodelling project is communicated properly to the traders.
“Please communicate what we are doing. This is not a government that will be happy when people are not happy. This is a government that wants to ensure that our people are happy. Our people are taken care of. Our people are not cheated.
“Nobody can be cheated under my watch. It will not happen. So, Mr. President, I guess that’s what the issue is,” Gov. Otti concluded.
Earlier in his speech, the National President, National Association of Nigerian Traders, Dr Ken Ukoha, who led the Chairmen of Ariaria International Market and his Ekeoha Market as well as other members of his organisation from across the country, appreciated the achievements of Governor Otti on many areas of the economy, especially, the markets.
He appreciated the fact that Abia has changed for good under the leadership of Governor Otti.
“We heard some stories that Abia has changed. We heard that good things have started flowing in Abia.
“Your Excellency, we heard that the markets where we were suffering before, suffering with floods, suffering of dilapidation, poor road networks, that scared away those who used to come from other West African countries to buy goods from Abia and from other markets.
“We have come to see things ourselves. In the last 2 days, we have gone round and seen the giant strides and want to say, thank you. We also heard that you brought in technocrats, not politicians. We heard that you brought in – in fact, here, I just heard that there is somebody in charge of ease of doing business,” Dr. Ukoha stated.
In line with the contributions of the Chairmen of the 2 major markets undergoing remodelling, Dr Ukoha requested the Governor to allow the traders to participate in the remodelling and developing the markets so that they would not lose their shops.
The Wife to the Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Hon. Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Mrs. Salome Obiukwu, Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Commerce, Chief Nwaka Inem, DG PPP, Mr. Chinedum Chijioke, DG GADA, Arc. Uche Ukeje, SSA Ease of Doing Business, Bar. Agbonma Ukaobasi among other top government officials were present during the visit.
Ctz. UKOHA, NJOKU UKOHA
Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
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