There is uneasy calm in most markets in the Imo State capital following the set up of a committee to consider the state of markets.
What however heightened tension in the markets are reports of part of the terms of reference which asked the committee to reconsider compensation to those who lost shops and landlords at both Eke Ukwu Owerre and New Market Road on Douglas road.
It would be recalled that two years ago, the administration of Okorocha under his program demolished the two markets in the heart of the city forcing the traders to relocate to the adjoining Relief Market, Egbeada Market and the Alaba Naze Market.
However, the change of guard in Government House, Owerri which has brought in plans to return Ekeukwu and New Market has sent shivers down the spines of traders and owners of the Alaba International market.
Trumpeta findings revealed that majority of the demolished New Market traders relocated to Alaba Naze market.
It was gathered that when the New Market traders who deal with auto spare parts, general goods, and electricals became shopless after the rushed demolition, Alaba International market owners who were Igbo businessmen based in Lagos put the structures in proper shape to accommodate the displaced traders.
The spare parts traders who have been at the location are however faced with several challenges ranging from poor road network, zero power supply and non availability of commercial banks to boost business at the location.
Our reporter who witnessed the poor state of the Alaba Naze market disclosed that the owners and traders while asking government not to consider reopening the Ekeukwu and New Market requested the government of Emeka Ihedioha to come into the market and effect good changes with good roads, adequate security and attraction of commercial banks in the Alaba Int’l market.
According to the traders who spoke to our reporter, if the market receives a necessary government attention, devoid of intrusion in the ownership or leadership, it will boost the economic potentials of the place.
The traders and shop owners at the location also want the Imo State government to also ensure an enabling ground for investment to thrive, and not to do anything that might scare away investors.
Trumpeta further gathered that apart from spare parts sections, there is electronic and general goods sections that gives the market a standard and international outlook that still have over 7,000 shops and spaces waiting to be alloted.
The traders however maintained that since they started economic activities in the place, there has never been a time the monthly rent was hiked; rather, it has remained a cool atmosphere for business.
According to one of the traders, “opening another market outside this Alaba market will be meaningless. Already, the standard and method it was constructed is good and large enough to accommodate more traders. If done well, it can outshine the Alaba Int’l market Lagos, Ariara main market Aba, and Onitsha main market. The government can only tare the road, install electricity and security”.
