Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Peter Mbah, Friday, signed the Executive Order to relocate auto spare parts dealers and Allied traders in Coal Camp, and other parts of Enugu to the newly constructed International motor spare parts market along Enugu-Onitsha expressway, near 9th mile in fulfilment of his campaign promises
Gov Mbah
The Executive Order entitled the Designation and Establishment of the Enugu International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Traders Park, Inside Nsude , Udi LGA and Ogwofia Owa in Ezeagu LGA and the Relocation of the Coal Camp Neighborhood and other Neighbourhoods in the Enugu Capital Territory to the New Enugu International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Trades Park Site.
Speaking shortly after signing the Executive Order in Government House, , Governor Mbah said the market was built with modern facilities to meet international standard.. He said there is residential facilities, Smart school and health facilities, availability of space for easy movement among others
Mbah said, “this new market is actually a purpose built vehicle because it is designed for market in the true sense of the word with all the supporting facilities. We have taken into account all the safety codes that are required to have an international market.
“As you may already be aware, the construction is ongoing. We are aggressively opening up the roads and also the building itself. That construction has commenced.
“Our hope is that in the next few months we are going to see new things. It is an nternational market where you have all the services.
“There are going to be clinic, fire service, truck park and all the challenges in the existing market will be addressed in the new market.
“We are also making sure that dealers don’t live very far from the market as there is also residences around the market.
Pix: From left, Dr Sam Ogbu Nwobodo, Nnome, Gov Mbah ( m) others
“It is an ideal neighbourhood concept where you can view your neighborhood and live comfortably,” Mbah said.
Addressing newsmen, , the Managing Director of Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo
said the new site would offer dealers expanded environment unlike the tight corner where they were.
According to him, they were moving to environment that is commercially set up, healthy with ultra modern facilities, protection, recycling and ownership as
a lot of them will have opportunity to own shops.
He said that in their last meeting with the dealers that many of them complained that their apprentices after they were set free left because there was no space for them to start theirs.
“The environment is so strategic located as people going to middle belt, South south, Onitsha and Nnewi can’t go without passing through the market.
“It is a strategic move that will boost economic well-being of the state and the shops will be available and affordable,” he said.
Earlier, the President Enugu Market Spare Parts Dealers Association, Enugu Mike Nomeh, said the association was excited about the relocation to Nsude and Ogwofai Owa.
“We thank Gov. Peter Mbah for keeping his campaign promises.We have agreed to relocate to the new place. In our general meeting we have agreed to move, so we are not disputing it.
“Aside Coal Camp, we have other of our members at Abakpa, Emene, Eke Obinagu, Gariki, Presidential Road, Old Artisan and other places in Enugu.
“Since 1999, there were so many promises to relocate us but they were not fulfilled until Mbah came,” Nomeh said.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama
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“Our hope is that in the next few months, we are going to see the movement of you all from the current location to an international market where we have provided all the services. There is going to be a clinic there; there will also be a fire service. There is going to be a truck park.
“All the errors, all the challenges and the problems we have in the existing market will all be addressed In the new market.
“We have also made sure that you do not live very far from your market. We have residences around the market. It is an ideal neighbourhood concept where you can live comfortably within your neighbourhood and still do your trading and businesses comfortably without travelling far to get things done,” the governor said.
In his remarks, the President of Enugu Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Chief Michael Nomeh, hailed the governor for keeping to his campaign promise after decades of disappointments faced by the traders.
“We are so excited about the relocation of the Enugu motor spare part dealers to the permanent site, which is at international standard.
“We thank the governor for the campaign promise that he has fulfilled. Since the inception of democracy in 1999 to date, there have been so many promises to our people that they will relocate us to the international market. But none of them has kept to their promises. That is why we appreciate the governor for keeping the campaign promises in just less than two years in office,” Chief Nomeh stated.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr. Sam Ogbu Nwobodo, described both the move and the location of the new site as strategic, noting also that the traders would be able to own shops unlike at the present Coal Camp site where they rented shops.
“If you know the location of the new place, it is so strategic. You cannot go from the Middle Belt or South South or Cross River or even from Cameroon to Onitsha without passing through there.
“This move is a strategic move to boost our economy in our drive to a $30bn economy.
“The government is not building to make profit, but for the traders to move in there to trade in a well-organised environment and for traders to also live.
“The place is designed to have residential areas. There are also going to be smart schools, the primary healthcare centres, the recreational park, and a football pitch. It is a modern place that everybody will be proud to live in. It is built for the modern spare part dealers,” he explained.