October 30, (THEWILL) — The Ebonyi State Government has dismissed reports alleging that shops under construction at the Abakaliki International Market were being built on land designated for parks.
The Commissioner for Market Development and Parks, Professor Nwogo Ajuka Obasi, made the clarification in Abakaliki while addressing journalists in his office.
Obasi explained that the shops were being constructed at Lot 2 of the market — an area specifically reserved for market women — to meet the increasing demand for trading spaces.
“The shops being built at the International Market are almost completed. They are located at Lot 2, which we call the Market Women Lot.
“The idea is to expand and accommodate more women traders as their numbers continue to grow,” he said.
He added that the project followed numerous complaints from traders who were being displaced or disturbed in their previous trading spots.
According to him, the state government would outline the allocation process once construction is completed.
“When we conclude the construction, the government will provide clear guidelines on how the shops will be allocated, just as it did in previous phases,” he explained.
Professor Obasi urged residents to disregard what he described as falsehoods circulating on social media, stressing that the project fully aligns with the approved market design.
“There’s been a lot of social media propaganda claiming the shops are being built on parks. That’s not true.
“The International Market has a master plan, and no one is operating outside it. In fact, there are still undeveloped areas within the market,” he stated.
He further disclosed that the market’s design also provided space for mini-industries, allowing individuals to acquire and develop industrial plots for ventures such as cold rooms and processing facilities.
“In the design, several small-scale industries were incorporated. Some have already been developed, while others are yet to be completed. However, the Governor directed a temporary suspension for review,” he added.
The Commissioner also noted that his ministry recently intervened in cases where commercial drivers converted designated bus stops and sheds into unauthorized parks, emphasising that the government was committed to maintaining order and proper use of public facilities.
Sunday Ogbu is a professional journalist with eight - twelve years experience that had worked with various print and online media. Sunday specializes in news reporting with the aim of educating his readers on current social, political and economic occurences within his area of coverage. Sunday is a strong force to work with in the media industry and uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Sunday is inspired daily by his wife and their four children. In his free time, Sunday likes sight-seeing, reading and discussing issues of societal interest.
