Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has assured that no existing shop owner will lose a shop in the ongoing remodelling projects at Ariaria International Market and Ekeoha Market in Aba.
Otti gave the assurance on Thursday at the Michael Okpara Auditorium while receiving a delegation of the National Executive Council of the National Association of Nigerian Traders.
He said original shop owners would be given the first right of refusal before any other decision is taken, adding that he had issued clear instructions to that effect.
The governor further assured that the number of shops being built would be enough to accommodate both existing and prospective owners
Because we understand the economic circumstances in the entire country, we have made arrangements with 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,” Otti said
The governor emphasised that he would not authorise traders to develop the shops themselves because he could not guarantee the standard of construction, noting that his administration does not compromise on quality.
He directed relevant authorities to ensure proper communication with traders regarding the remodelling project.
He advised them, “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,” Otti concluded.
Earlier, the National President of the National Association of Nigerian Traders, Ken Ukoha, who led the chairmen of Ariaria International Market and Ekeoha Market, as well as other members of the association from across the country, commended the governor’s achievements, particularly in the markets.
He said Abia had changed for the better under Otti’s leadership.
“We heard some stories that Abia has changed. We heard that good things have started flowing in Abia.
