The Ebonyi State Government has refuted propaganda in the public domain that the ongoing building of shops at the popular International Market were cited on land space designated for parks in the ever busy market located at the heart of Abakaliki metropolis.
Professor Nwogo Ajuka Obasi , Hon. Commissioner for Market Development and Parks in the State disclosed this recently during a chat with journalists in his Abakaliki office.
He explained that the shops which were being built in the lot two axis of the International Market were to address the growing needs of shops from market women.
Professor Nwogo said, “The shops that are being built at the international market are almost completed. Those shops are built at Lot 2 specifically. And we call Lot 2, the Market Women Lot. The shops were designed and built to increase and accommodate more women. Because our women are increasing in this trade.
He explained further that the essence of building the shop was as result of growing complaints from the market women that they were being disturbed where they were doing their businesses, adding that on completion, the government would decide how to allocated the shops.
“When we conclude it, we will map out strategies on how to allocate it. The government always gives directives on how their shops are allocated. The previous one, on completion, the government gave out the step with which each person can acquire it”, he stated.
He called on the people of Ebonyi State to discountenece whatever was published on the social media pertaining to the shops, describing it as social media propaganda.
He added, “You see, there is a lot of social media propaganda on those shops. Some say it is built at the park, some say it is wrong. That international market has a design. And there is nobody that has gone outside the design. In fact, there are some places that are yet to be developed”, he explained.
The Commissioner added that part of the design of the market was that individuals were allowed to acquire land where they could build mini-industries. He said some individuals had developed theirs while some were yet to develop areas allocated to them.
“In the design, there are many industries incorporated in that market. Many industries like this ice fish cold room and some other things. And the designs are there.
“Because that design was that, you know, most of these things were built on transfer basis. Some of the places were designed for individuals to acquire and develop that many industries.
“And some individuals acquired, some have developed. But some others were yet to develop before this dispensation. But the executive governor said that they should suspend, let us review”, he said.
He further hinted that the Ministry of Market Development and Parks had to intervene in a situation where commercial drivers had turned designated bustops and bus sheds to parks.