May I express my heartfelt sympathy to Eze Emmanuel Njemanze, Ozuruigbo v of Owere and the good people of Owere Nchi Ise who came out in their numbers to put off the fire that gutted the monarch’s palace on Sunday.
Such incident is highly regretable and unfortunate. I pray the almighty God to give Ozuruigbo the heart to bear the devastating consequences of the inferno.
Before I hit ‘the ground runinng’ in this piece, It will be unfair if I fail to mention numerous callers and those who e mailed yours sincerely to express either their support or grouse against the first part of this piece published on this page last Tuesday.
A caller from Egbu in Owerri North LGA whom I will simply call Chief Noel exonerated Governor Rochas Okorocha from plans to relocate the Eke Ukwu Owere market. From the way he spoke and his body , I observed he is one of the political henchmen of the present Administration. He revealed to me that it is the handiwork of owners/ various families of the land harbouring the market that are piling pressure on the Governor to relocate the market.
Though there might be element of truth in his revelation, I am also aware that some families that own the land where the Eke Ukwu Owere market is are huge benefactors of the present location of the market. Because they own the land, they are entitled to some form of income and revenue.
He also corrected the impression that the relocation of the market has nothing to do with any unspoken policy by the Okorocha Adminstration to witchunt the people of Owerre Nchi Ise. He added that at no time has Owelle disliked Owere people, citing the Adminstration’s provision infrastructural amenities in Owerri as indication of his love for the people.
He went ahead to intimate me that at no time did Eze Owere, Eze Emmanuel Njemanze stop Okorocha, who was then the APGA governorship candidate, from visiting his Palace. He said because traditional rulers during the reign of Ikedi Ohakim were scared to be seen with other governorship candidates , most traditional rulers in the State had to receive candidates of other opposition parties secretly.
Some top government functionaries in the State whom I will not disclose their identity because they requested I keep it secret, in their reaction to the first part of this piece published last week said I was sentimental in my analysis. They stated that the present location of the ancient Eke Ukwu Owere market is an impediment to ongoing efforts to decongest the perenial traffic cogestion in Owerri metropolis.
One of the aides to His Excellency (names witheld) who called reminded me that development begets change and because change is contagious, a society and its attendant structures are bound to be affected by the power of change if such society intends or desire to grow. Relating it to the Eke Ukwu market, he said there is nothing wrong if Governor Rochas Okorocha relocates the market to a site where the market will be upgraded to an ‘interntaional standard’ and meet the needs of not just the people of Owere Nchi Ise,but the entire people of Imo State.
Another caller named cyracus noted that the market has to move from its School Road/ Christ Church location to where the State Government has designated it to be, stating that it is wrong for Owere people to ‘imagine that Okorocha has an axe to grind with them’
While I carefully noted the observartions of callers and observers, it is important we undertstand the fact that whatever reservations expressed by Nde Owere on the Eke Ukwu market should not be misinterpreted to be their opposition to Okorocha’s Government. Infact, it is their inelinable right to accept or reject any Government policy that does not satisfy their interest.
The relocation of the Eke Ukwu Owere market has remained one knotty issue that has always put the people of Owere Nchi Ise and various State Government’s on collison course. The Amadi Ikwechegh Military Adminstration incurred the wrath of the people when he attempted to relocate the market. It compelled then Late Eze Alexius Anumaku Njemanze, the Ozuruigbo iv of Owere to humoriously advise then Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida who came to the Ozuruigbo’s palace on a courtesy visit in Owerri, to stop sending ‘nurses’ as Governors to Imo State. The term ‘Nurses’was the then monarch’s definition of Naval officers who were sent to Imo State as Governors.
Sucessive Adminstrations followed the path of valour. Because they were Civilan Governments that had the mandate of the people, they felt it will be counter productive to move away an ancestral market that reflects the cultural symbol and identity of a people elsewhere. This was the guiding principle that influnced the decision of the Achike Udenwa and Ikedi Ohakim Adminstrations to shelve plans to relocate the market. They resisted the temptation to relocate the market after taking into consideration the legal, cultural and historical accounts that trailed the existence of Eke Ukwu Owere.
However, I was informed that staturily it is the responsibility of Local Governments to manage markets. This is why big markets in Lagos State such as Tejuosho and Oshodi markets are within the purview of the Local Governments . In other words, it is the duty of the local Governments to manage markets in its domain.
However, it does not forbid the State Government from building or erecting a mega market. And if it so desires, such markets constructed by the State Government are handed over to the local Governments where such markets are located for effective management.
This is why I align myself to the postulations of the Executive Chairman of Owerri municipality, Chief Emma Odor, who resisted attempts by the Honourable Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Ichie Uche Best Mbanaso from collecting levies anf fees payable in Eke Ukwu Owere market by traders. Odor’s stance was based on the fact that it is not the duty of the State Government to manage markets.
