Chief John Okiyi Kalu, the State Commissioner for Trade and Investment in Abia State, informed traders of the closed markets today in Umuahia that the closure, as directed by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, is aimed at protecting life and public health.
Chief Okiyi, who expressed the government’s deep sorrow and sympathy to the traders following the accident that claimed four lives yesterday, informed them that Governor Ikpeazu has directed the ministry to ensure that the medical bills of the injured are paid by the government.
He emphasized the government’s efforts to relocate the market, particularly in light of safety concerns raised by relevant agencies, with a new abattoir already under construction at Omumauzor, Ukwa West Local Government Area.
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“It will be irresponsible of this government to sit idly by and watch as the lives and livelihoods of our people are threatened daily by the very real risks of doing business in and around closed markets,” he says.
“We feel your pain and understand the circumstances that led to the market forming there, but we will have no excuse to make to posterity if we do not act immediately.”
The Commissioner, who was joined by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Sir Michael Egwu, and other Directors, informed the traders that the closure was permanent and advised all those involved to ensure that they moved out all of their items before the closure of business.
He also stated that the Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has directed the executives of Aba’s Good Morning Market to allow displaced traders from Ahia Udele to take up vacant shops in the market immediately without demanding rent for at least three months in order to ease their transition and allow them to continue their businesses with minimal or no difficulty.
As a result, he directed the ministry’s Director of Commerce and the Chairman of the Good Morning Market Committee to oversee the allocation of spaces and the smooth resettlement of the displaced traders and to report back to him.
Concerning the relocation of the cattle market to the Omumauzor facility, Chief Okiyi assured traders that the ministry is already grading the road to the location while the Governor has directed the state ministry of works to begin full reconstruction of the road using rigid pavement technology, the state ministry of transport has hinted that new guidelines on the movement of articulated vehicles into and out of Aba will be released next week as approved by the Governor.
“The new abattoir we’re building in Omumauzor is a cutting-edge facility with water, multiple slaughter slabs, and other amenities that will make life easier for our people.” While we have paid for the majority of the work done, we are confident that normal activities can continue while we complete the remaining repairs.
It is preferable to do so than to wait for another accident or disease outbreak.
The government will clear the closed abattoir, fumigate it, dredge the area where the market was previously located, and demolish all shanties used by criminal elements to conceal and perpetuate crimes against law-abiding citizens.”
“Let me assure you that the Government of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu will not ignore or neglect our traders,” the Commissioner continued. We are prepared to prevent the type of fatal accident that occurred recently by providing alternative and safer locations for our traders.
“We are also putting in place mechanisms to prevent trailers and other articulated trucks from entering Aba before they arrive.”
Responding, the traders thanked the government for its prompt response to the distress calls made when the accident occurred on Thursday, and they pledged to work with the government to ensure the smooth relocation and resettlement of all affected traders.
