Abia State Government on Thursday, September 19, 2024, began the demolition of Eke Oha Shopping Centre, in Aba South Local Government Area of the State, to pave way for the remodelling of the market to transform it into a modern shopping complex.
The remodelling of Eke Oha, the oldest metropolitan market in the city of Aba and one of the biggest textile markets in Nigeria, is in line with Governor Alex Otti’s desire to drive the holistic turnaround of the State’s economic ecosystem with the support of private investors, in ways that guarantees a steady return on investment, job creation for young people and access to new opportunities for dreamers and doers.
The project, which will be carried out in phases, when completed, will not only improve the aesthetics of the commercial city but also ensure the safety of traders and their customers.
Governor Otti, in a speech at the flag-off of the project, in August 2024, affirmed his administration’s readiness to open a new vista in its infrastructure restoration programme.
According to Otti, “The decision to go ahead with the remodelling project is an eloquent testimony to my administration’s readiness to make the markets in Aba, 24-hour business hubs with state-of-the-art facilities, to ensure the safety and security of the traders and their customers, enable interactions with customers from different parts of the world in real-time.
“It will also entrench an enterprise culture of borderless transactions on the strength of the infrastructure that shall be put in place at the completion of the remodelling project”.
He said that the project shall be driven by a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) anchored on a robust stakeholder engagement and consultation framework, noting that the government’s role in the venture is to protect the interests of the State, the business community within the market, and guarantee that the project is executed in the long-term interest of the people, who own shops or do their business in the market.
Otti noted that the developers will be responsible for the holistic execution of the general and specific elements of the project, interfacing with the government and other stakeholders to ensure that execution is in tandem with approved structural designs.
To allay the fears of traders, who do their day-to-day businesses in the market, Otti assured that government has taken proactive steps to secure temporary accommodation for them.
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He said that the government, through the State Ministry of Trade and Investments, the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA) and the Aba North Local Government Area, will collaborate with the leadership of Ekeoha Market traders, to manage the relocation process, seeing that the traders can still attend to their customers from the temporary location.
“It has to be admitted that the process will come with some inconveniences, but as we have learnt through our individual and collective experiences, there are certain sacrifices that must be made for the greater, long-term good.
“My assurance to you is that the Government will do everything within its power to keep things stable, while we work very closely with the developers to ensure timely delivery. It must also be noted that this remodelling is going to be in phases to ensure order and minimum difficulty to traders and customers.
According to the Abia State Governor, “You have seen steady improvements on our roads, the cities are now cleaner and because we have remained faithful to our commitment to pay workers, pensioners and contractors their entitlements as and when due, we are putting money in the hands of our people, increasing their purchasing power and supporting local businesses”.
He however sought the support of the people, stressing that the success of the project requires the active support and cooperation of all stakeholders.
Chimezie Ukaegbu, State’s commissioner for Transport, formerly commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, said that the project, when completed, would transform lives and businesses within the commercial city of Aba.
He described Eke Oha Market, as an iconic market that has been the heart and soul of the Aba fashion industry.
According to the Commissioner, Eke Oha has served as a platform for countless entrepreneurs, to build their dreams and provided employment opportunities to many people.
He, however, acknowledged that over the years the market has faced countless challenges that hindered its potentials, noting that its infrastructure has aged, while the trading environment has become less conducive to modern business practices.
“This project is not just about physical transformation; it is about creating an echo. A system that supports growth, innovation and prosperity.
“The remodelling of Eke Oha Market is more than a construction project; it is an investment in the future of our traders and buyers.”
He continued, “When completed, this market will have modern amenities, shopping arcades and a conducive trading environment that will attract customers from far and wide.
“We envisioned a market, where technology plays a vital role, by digitising shops, we will open new opportunities for our traders to reach a global customer base.
“Furthermore, decentralised payment of taxes and levies, will streamline operations, improve efficiency and enhance transparency. This will create a more conducive environment, encouraging investment and growth”, he stated.
He expressed confidence that the remodelling of Eke Oha Shopping Centre, will revitalise the market and serve as a catalyst for the overall development of Aba.
“It will create jobs, stimulate economic activities and enhance the city’s reputation, as a commercial hub.”
He enjoined all stakeholders to support. The project to ensure its successful implementation. To the traders, he urged them to embrace the new idea that would provide a competitive and profitable market.
He said that the new Eke Oha will provide a conducive and unapparelled shopping experience to shoppers.
For Chinedu Onyeizu, managing director, Rhino Homes and Property Limited, contractors to the project, the remodelling of Eke Oha Market, signifies the unwavering commitment of the Governor Alex Otti-led administration in Abia State, to transform Aba into a destination of possibilities in commerce and industry in Africa.
He said that Rhino Homes is proud to be associated with the project.
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In his words, “We cherish the partnership we have with the Abia State Government on this project and we are committed to deliver on schedule, a world-class textile market with digital presence that would meet the expectations of the State Government and the existing and potential traders and their patrons from within and outside the country.
“We believe in the urban renewal agenda of the. Abia State Government, which includes remodeling major markets in Aba and bringing them up to modern standards”.
With regards to managing the impact of achieving the Governor’s vision for traders, Onyeizu said that the Abia State Government has instructed that the firm structures the remodelling of the edifice in a way that will have minimal impact on the daily activities of the traders, noting that the development will be phased, to ensure that the traders carry on with their daily activities.
Consequently, he said that they have secured an adequate number of shops at the GSM mall, to accommodate all the traders that would be affected in all the various phases of the development.
This is as the governor has graciously approved the expansion of Eke Oha Market at the current School of Health, to ensure that all businesses in Eke Oha are resettled within and without recourse to move to a distant location, Onyeizu said
He explained that the expansion would produce more than auspicious number of shops to accommodate any displaced trader, as a result of the remodelling project and also capture as well most of the street traders doing business on the streets of Aba.
“Make no mistakes, our dear Governor and with the Midas touch is not looking to replace Eke Oha Market with another market.
“We are remodelling the market with an entire new experience-what I call a full value chain package of complete transformation of how trading business is done in Abia market”.
He said that the new Eke Oha Market will be installed with fibre optic connections, to enhance internet connectivity and improve telephone communication.
“We will install electric lifts so that we can support people with disability, enhance. Movement of people and goods in the market.
And for the first time in a Nigerian market, a mini clinic, a mobile ambulance, firefighting truck, would be provided to render fire and emergency response services”, he promised.
In line with the Governor’s zero tolerance policy for corruption, he said that Rhino Homes has developed a digital platform-www.abiamarket.com, to enable a transparent and auditable process of new shop purchase, allocation and management, stressing that with the application, records will be secure and ubiquitous.
He emphasised that the Eke Oha ultra-modern market, when completed, would compete favourably with modern textile markets in the world in terms of features and ambience.
“Again, it is designed to provide an environment that is conducive for delightful trading and nice shopping experience, like never before.”
