The Anambra State Government has reached an agreement with traders to commence the phased remodeling of the Onitsha Main Market to improve infrastructure and create a more organised and sustainable trading environment.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo disclosed this on Friday after a dialogue with traders from the Onitsha Main Market and adjoining markets at the Government House in Awka.
Soludo said the engagement resulted in a mutual understanding to begin the immediate revitalisation of the market, noting that the exercise would be carried out in phases to minimise disruption to commercial activities.
He explained that leadership sometimes required taking difficult but necessary decisions to secure the future, adding that the initiative was aimed at repositioning the market to meet global standards.
According to the governor, key components of the emergency intervention include the reclamation of market parks, restoration of walkways, construction of public conveniences, repainting and colour-coding of shops and trading lines, among other improvements.
Soludo added that the initiative aligned with his administration’s manifesto of developing planned and sustainable cities, communities and markets across the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, Mr Chijioke Okpalugo, told the governor that traders had agreed to the remodeling option proposed by the government.
Okpalugo, however, appealed for additional time to allow traders to remove their goods from areas affected by illegal structures.