Abia state Governor,Dr Alex Otti OFR has assured that the Eziukwu market, Aba will be remodeled and retrofitted to a status befitting of a modern market.
Governor Otti stated this when he paid an on the spot assessment visit to the market to ascertain the extent of damage caused by fire outbreak at the market last night.
To that end,he has directed relevant government authorities to immediately commence work on how to modernize the market.
According to the Governor, many of the shops were in deplorable state and needed some modernization and renovation as the integrity of most of the shops are questionable.
“If you look at these shops, you’ll agree with me that alot of them need some modernization, some renovation. Some of them need to be pulled down and rebuilt. Just like I promised to do in Ngwa road, I also will do here”.
“If you look at these shops, you’ll see that the integrity is questionable. It looks like something that would collapse very soon. As a responsible government, we would not allow it to happen”
“So I want to direct relevant authorities including the GM Greater Aba Development Agency GADA to immediately start work on his own to modernize this market”Governor Otti said.
He sympathized with victims of the fire blaze and promised to assist them overcome their plight.
He however, charged the traders to be more careful to avoid further fire disaster at the market, noting that similar incident occurred last week at the Ngwa road market.
The Governor was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Mr Chaka Chukwumerije, and DG,Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) Mr Uche Ukaeje among other government functionaries.