NEWS
GOV. ALEX OTTI REAFFIRMS “FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL” FOR EXISTING SHOP OWNERS AS ABIA STATE GOVT INTENSIFIES ARIARIA, EKEOHA MARKET REMODELLING; ARRANGES BANK FINANCING TO PROTECT TRADERS
…Says “Nobody can be cheated under my watch”
…National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) Applauds Transformation in Abia Markets
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has emphatically reassured traders that no existing shop owner will lose his or her shop in the ongoing remodelling of Ariaria International Market and Ekeoha Market in Aba.
Governor Otti made this known on Thursday at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, while receiving a high-powered delegation of the National Executive Council of the National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS), led by its National President, Dr. Ken Ukoha.
Addressing concerns raised by market leaders, the Governor made it categorically clear that original shop owners would enjoy priority rights over their remodelled shops before any other person could be considered.
In his words:
“what we call first right of refusal will be given to existing shop owners. It’s only when you don’t want, when you elect that you don’t want your shop, that it could be sold to somebody else.
“And that instruction is sacrosanct. And nobody, nobody can go against it. Anybody that goes against it, is just taking a risk.
“If I find out that people who had shops were not given their right of first refusal, I will reverse whatever they have done.”
The Governor further assured that the number of shops being constructed under the remodelling projects is sufficient to accommodate both current shop owners and prospective traders, thereby eliminating fears of displacement.
Demonstrating sensitivity to prevailing economic realities, Governor Otti disclosed that his administration has proactively engaged financial institutions to support traders who may face liquidity challenges.
“Because we understand the economic circumstances in the entire country. We have made arrangements with, I think 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,” he stated.
The Governor maintained that the state government would not authorise traders to independently develop the shops, stressing that quality control and structural standards must not be compromised.
According to him, his administration remains committed to delivering world-class market infrastructure that will restore Aba’s commercial glory and reposition the state as a leading trade hub in West Africa.
Governor Otti directed the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, the DG PPP, and the DG GADA to intensify communication with traders to ensure proper understanding of the objectives and benefits of the remodelling initiative.
“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,” Governor Otti said, reaffirming his people-centred approach to governance
Earlier, the National President of the National Association of Nigerian Traders, Dr. Ken Ukoha, who led Chairmen of Ariaria and Ekeoha Markets alongside other executive members from across the country, commended Governor Otti’s economic reforms and infrastructural interventions.
He noted that reports of positive change in Abia prompted their visit.
“We heard some stories that Abia has changed. We heard that good things have started flowing in Abia.
“Your Excellency, we heard that the markets where we were suffering before, suffering with floods, suffering of dilapidation, poor road networks, that scared away those who used to come from other West African countries to buy goods from Abia and from other markets.
“We have come to see things ourselves. In the last 2 days, we have gone round and seen the giant strides and want to say, thank you. We also heard that you brought in technocrats, not politicians. We heard that you brought in, in fact, here, I just heard that there is somebody in charge of ease of doing business,” Dr. Ukoha said.
Dr. Ukoha, aligning with the contributions of the Chairmen of the two major markets currently undergoing remodelling, appealed to the Governor to allow traders to participate in the development process to safeguard their ownership interests.
The Governor’s Wife, Her Excellency, Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti; the Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD.; the Honourable Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barr. Ikechukwu Uwana, SAN; the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu; the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr. Mrs. Salome Obiukwu; the Special Adviser on Trade and Commerce, Chief Nwaka Inem; DG PPP, Mr. Chinedum Chijioke; DG GADA, Arc. Uche Ukeje; and SSA Ease of Doing Business, Bar. Agbonma Ukaobasi, alongside other senior government officials, were present during the visit.
The meeting further reinforced the Abia State Government’s resolve to modernise critical commercial infrastructure while protecting the legitimate interests of traders, a balance Governor Otti ins
ists will not be compromised under his administration.