Soludo Inaugurates Solution Market, Vows To Eject Street Traders
By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Sunday, as he was inaugurating Solution market, located in Amazon motors axis, along Owerri road, Ogbaru, vowed to eject street traders by December this year, saying they constitute nuisance to the environment.
Making the vow, he advised street traders to get to the empty shops inside various markets in the State waiting for occupation pointing out that the exercise is in line with the State Government’s resolve to ensure Clean, Green and Sustainable Anambra for healthy living.
He made the vow through his Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Hon. Everest Uba, stating that all should assist in restoring the lost glory of the State.
“By December we shall commence the ejection of street traders from Ose Okwodu, main market and Ochanja Central market, so that vehicles and others will have access to markets. Those on the streets should get into the markets,” he warned..
On the inauguration of Soludo market, he commended those behind the project, adding that it is part of the call for “think home philosophy,’ for Igbo who invest outside Igboland to come home and invest in case of any uncertainty.
“We want markets to remain in Anambra , this market has specious shops, and the open space is also large to contain any kind of vehicles. There are warehouses that befit modern markets,” he disclosed further.
In his own contribution, a chieftain of the market, Chief Nerius Chinyelugo, expressed satisfaction that the market has come to stay adding that with the cooperation of the State Government, it would in no distant time be a reference point in trading within the country.
Taking the people round the market to see things by themselves, he added that it is divided into sections for different wares, stating that it is of international standard.
Earlier, Monsignor Theophilus Odukwe of St Lwanga Catholic church, New Heaven, presided over the special mass that heralded the inauguration of the market and was seconded by Rev Fr. Muodum Cosmas of St Patrick Catholic church, New Heaven.
Speaking, the chairman of Onitsha Main market, Chief Innocent Ezeoha Ezennia, said that traders now work together with the State Government and commended the President General of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, for achieving that feat.
“This place will be base for the rapid growth of business especially trading in the entire Southeast and beyond and I commend those who initiated it. Our Governor is trying by appointing the likes of the Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Hon. Everest Uba, to help in the development of markets in the State,” he maintained.
Earlier, the ASMATA PG, Chief Anuna, expressed satisfaction with the location and standard of the market adding that helicopters would in no distant time be landing at the open space in the market with wares for easy transportation.
“The market is in strategic location and I commend the owner of the market for building such modern market. Here you can get what ever you want and the shops are at give away prices and there is provision for one to be permanent owner of shops here.
“Security is water tight and the space is quite commendable. All kinds of wares are to be sold here and every facility, including conveniences are in place for your usage. Light is 24 hours service.
Highlight on the occasion was music and dance by Ikem Mazeli cultural band.
