Traders at Ogbaru Main Market Commend Soludo for Retaining Shops

Ogbaru Main Market traders and their reconstructed shops

By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha

Traders at Ogbaru Main Market, popularly known as Relief Market near Onitsha, Anambra State, were thrown into jubilation after their previously damaged shops were reconstructed and handed back to them by the state government.

It will be recalled that about seven shops, previously occupied by traders, were destroyed following severe flooding when the Upper Iweka-linked Sakamori drainage system collapsed.

A section of the Sakamori that runs behind the market’s perimeter fence gave way, sweeping away the shops and displacing their owners.

However, the Anambra State Government, through the Ministry of Works, later intervened by reconstructing the affected portion of the drainage system and rebuilding the shops, which were subsequently returned to their original owners.

Expressing their gratitude, some shop owners told journalists they never imagined they would regain their shops. They praised Governor Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo for his magnanimity and commitment to the welfare of traders.

The traders also commended the President-General of Ogbaru Main Market, Chief Ndubuisi Patrick Ochiogu, for his resilience and unwavering efforts to ensure the affected traders were reinstated without bureaucratic delays.

In his remarks, Chief Emeka Ape, a former Financial Secretary of the market and current Chairman of Works, stated that Governor Soludo had demonstrated deep concern for traders by not only reconstructing the collapsed drainage system but also restoring the affected shops to their rightful owners.

“With that singular act, Governor Soludo has written his name in gold in the hearts of traders. He has earned himself great honour and admiration,” Ape said.

He further declared that nothing would hinder Soludo’s re-election bid, noting that traders would fully support him in the upcoming gubernatorial election scheduled for November 8.

Chief Ape disclosed that before the government’s intervention, traders had made several unsuccessful attempts to repair the damaged Sakamori.

“We did everything within our capacity to fix it, but all efforts failed. It was only after Governor Soludo, through the Ministry of Works, stepped in that the Sakamori was properly reconstructed. Immediately after that, the shops were also rebuilt, and not a single original owner was denied shop.

“This place was once devastated by flooding that washed away our shops. But after the reconstruction, each of us was reinstated. I was present during the reallocation process, and I can confirm that every shop was returned to its original owner no addition, no subtraction. For that, I sincerely thank Governor Soludo, his Special Adviser on Markets, Chief Sir Everist Uba, and our market President-General, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu. My prayer is that Soludo returns for a second term,” Ape added.

Also speaking, Mrs. Christiana Onovo, one of the affected shop owners, praised Governor Soludo for ensuring that all original shop owners were reinstated.

“I’m grateful to our President-General, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, and his executive team for attracting the government’s attention after we were displaced by the flood,” Mrs. Onovo said.

Similarly, Mrs. Patricia Onumonu expressed her joy and relief. She recounted the helplessness traders experienced when the flood hit.

“We were seven affected traders, and after the reconstruction, all of us got back our shops. We thank Governor Soludo and Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu,” she said.

Echoing the sentiments, Mr. Okechukwu Asigba, Chairman of the Ozioma Line in the market, affirmed that the traders had appealed to the state government for help when the disaster occurred.

“Without Governor Soludo’s intervention and the reconstruction of the Sakamori, many traders would have been plunged into serious hardship,” he noted.

In his comment, Mr. Ifeanyichukwu Onwe described Chief Ochiogu as a “talk-and-do” leader.

“I never believed I would recover my shop, but by God’s grace, I did. May God bless our Governor, Professor Charles Soludo,” Onwe said .