Enugu State government has announced the construction of a new International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Trades Market.
Managing Director, Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo made that known during a meeting with the expanded leadership of the Enugu Motor Spare Parts and Allied Trades Association, Coal Camp, Enugu.
According to him, the market which is being sited at 9th Mile, along the Enugu-Onitsha expressway was in line with the electoral promises of Governor Peter Mbah made to traders at Coal Camp that his administration would build a world-class market for them.
He regretted that the present condition of the traders at Coal Camp was pathetic and prone to environmental hazards, stating that no business could thrive in such an unconducive environment.
Pix: Ogbu Nwobodo addressing the traders
The present condition of the traders at Coal Camp is nothing to write home about. During the last campaign period, they asked the state government to provide them with a more conducive environment that could accommodate all of them. Today, as we speak, work has commenced on the site. The Governor is fulfilling the promises he made to the traders, and he is relentless in making sure that their businesses grow,” he said.
Speaking on the key facilities that would be in place, he said; “It is going to be an ecosystem that supports modern businesses, commercial and light industrial activities. There will be facilities like modern shops and warehouses, police post, fire protection architecture, sufficient conveniences, banks, parks, school, health facility, union centre, recreational facilities, and other things that will enable business growth.”
Dr Ogbu-Nwobodo said the choice of 9th Mile was strategic because it is a major business hub in the state and the building of the market there would give more impetus for further development around the area, adding that it would create easy access for shoppers coming from the Northern States, Ebonyi and Cross River states, Central Africa, and other locations, saving dealers the stress of navigating through the city before offloading or exporting their goods.
“9th Mile is a major business hub in the state, and this will give more impetus for further development around the area. We should equally recall that there is already a free trade zone built by the state in the area. This site will accommodate all the traders and leave more room for expansion in the future,” Ogbu-Nwobodo said.
In his reaction, the President, Enugu Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Chief Mike Nomeh, said Enugu had had numerous administrations which did not treat the welfare of traders at Coal Camp with the priority it deserved.
According to him, the relocation of the market was long overdue as they had written to past administrations to look into their welfare, appealing to the Governor Mbah to ensure the speedy delivery of the market as their present location at Coal Camp called for mercy.
“We have been praying for this since previous administrations, but thank God a visionary governor is fulfilling his promises to us. We are looking forward to finding ourselves in this promised land. All the traders at Coal Camp were very happy to receive this news because we have been suffering for a long time. We have suffered neglect in that Coal Camp, and I tell you that everyone is happy with this move by the governor to relocate us to a better place. We are so much grateful to His Excellency,” the president said.
On his part, Mr. Eze Benjamin, a sectional/line chairman at the Coal Camp, applauded the Governor for the initiative. He said he had spent over 30 years at Coal Camp and had been yearning for adequate accommodation for all the traders, adding that what was happening was like a dream.
“I know that the Governor is capacity-filled. I urge him to keep up with this pace because it will benefit all of us,” Eze said.