Fatimah Otunsanya
Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, on Thursday, said he can decide to build a school on the premises of Onitsha Market after revoking the land.
He said this during a meeting with leaders of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA.
According to Soludo, he has the requisite power under the law to revoke all the market premises in the state for overriding public interest and use them for something else of public interest.
He said for instance, he could revoke the premises and either build modern school on them or turn them into Agunechemba security offices all for the overriding public interest.
He added that he could pay compensation to the original owners of the lands where the markets are located, and any one who feels that the amount paid as compensation is not commensurate with his own estimation, could go to court to contest the amount paid for compensation, but not the revocation.
Addressing the markets leaders at the International Conference Center, ICC, Awka, Soludo therefore directed all the Local Government Mayors to henceforth monitor all the market shops as early as 10 a.m. on every market day, including Mondays.
They are to take record of shops which are not opened for business and then report back to him for possible permanent closure, imposition of fine or outright revocation.
He however assured them that the government would provide adequate security in and around the market premises to wipe out their fears of insecurity and restore the confidence of the traders.
He disclosed that government had in 2023 designed Onitsha Main Market in such a way it would look like modern market because, according to him, the market is presently filled up with shanties and illegal structures.
But because he has not seen where to relocate the traders until the completion of the reconstruction and redesigning exercise, he decided to shelve the idea for now.
He said government will eventually modernise the market and equip it with modern facilities to make it look like the largest market in West Africa which it is adjudged to be, adding, “all these our efforts are geared towards the best interest of the traders, our children and our grandchildren”.
He summoned a meeting of all the leaders of Onitsha Main Market for a round table discussion on Friday, January 30, at 11 a.m. at the Light House, New Government House, Awka, to discuss modalities for reopening the market or temporary closure of the market for the modernisation exercise to commence in earnest.
All the market leaders in Anambra State, including the President-General of ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, Patron of ASMATA and President of Building Materials International Market, Ogidi, Chief Jude Nwankwo, President of Ogbaru Main Market, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chief Okpalugo among other market presidents and chairmen were in attendance.