…Analysts challenge Wike to allocate stores in two completed major markets
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has decried indiscriminate street trading in the state consequent upon which he is working hard for the completion of the Mile-One Market in Port Harcourt because he wants to address the challenge of street trading in the area.
He spoke on Boxing Day after inspecting the ongoing construction of the Mile-1 Market and Health Centre at Agip area.
He said he was not happy seeing the traders on the road, noting that street trading poses a risk to them.
The governor urged them to endure the suffering until the ultra modern market is completed for their use.
He said: Do you people want it to continue like this? Everytime I come here and see you people by the road side, it hurts me because life shouldn’t be like this for you.
“And God that created us knows that we are not happy with it and this is why I have resolved that this festive period, I will work to make sure that every promise made would be fulfilled .”
The governor added: “For the past one week, we have been running around to make sure that we deliver the projects that we promised.
“We are doing it and this market is more important to me than others and this is why I can’t remove you people from here because, if I remove you from here, where will you go? This is why I say, I will do every thing possible to finish this one, so everybody will move down there”.
He was accompanied on the inspection visit by Former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo and Elder Statesman, Prince Emma Anyanwu.
However,observers are wondering why the Governor has not mustered the political will to break the logjam that has prevented the allocation of stores and shops to potential traders in the newly commissioned Rumuokoro market on July 25,2017 ,and the Obio-Akpor International market built serveral years ago whose stores are empty,while traders struggle with motorists on the roads.
It gas remained mindboggling to the residents in Rivers state why the state should spend Billions of state funds to build markets that are left unoccupied months and years after commissioning.
The Obio/Akpor International Market was commissioned by former Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State August 2012.
The market situated at Rukpokwu town of the urban local government council, is one of the most courageous and ambitious local government council projects constructed under this dispensation by a council chairman.
The market which has had its phase one completed has 400 lock up shops, 400 open stalls, a police stations and police residential quarters, fire service station, clinic, crèche and canteens. The market also has blocks of public toilets, public and stand-by power supply, with well paved internal roads.
The former Chairman of the council, Hon. Timothy Nsirim had told Journalists that the facilities already completed form the first phase of the project. He said that more lock and open stalls will be completed by the council.
He said that the project has been completed without the local government taking any loans from financial houses.The market is yet to allocated and fully utilised.