Chief John Okiyi Kalu at the construction site


The Hon Commissioner for Trade and investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu has reiterated the unwavering assurance  given by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu that no shop allottee will lose his/her shop after the conclusion of ongoing remodeling projects in Ariaria International Market and Ahia Ohuru both in Aba

According to the Commissioner， Gov Ikpeazu gave a standing directive that the original shopowners  be reinstated first before new off takers are brought in.


Chief John Okiyi Kalu

Chief Kalu added that the governor  has also directed a working arrangement with the management of Abia SME Bank to ensure that the traders receive reasonable financial support to cushion the effects the remodeling project might have had on their businesses and acquisition of shops in the remodeled markets.

The Commissioner made these revelations during his inspection of  the sites of the ongoing remodeling projects in Ariaria International Market and Ahia Ohuru， Aba to assess progress of work during the week

After the inspection， the Commissioner proffered the following： ” Based on the project scope for Ariaria and assigned timelines, I believe we are on course even though the continuing intermittent heavy rainfall is hampering the effort.

” Our cureent task is to ensure that the base pillars that will carry the market blocks as depicted in the attached photographs are established. After that, work will rapidly accelerate to the conclusion stage in this phase which involves only A-line”

According to him, ”Gov Ikpeazu is set to execute a special intervention to ensure that the drainage and internal road works are implemented rapidly within this expected dry season window. Details of that shall be revealed soon"

He further added: "We sincerely apologize to those traders affected by the reconstruction of lines 1 & 2 in Ahia Ohuru and wish to assure them that we are working daily with the developer to ensure that the needful is done to ensure their earliest return.

" After completing this 1st phase of the work, we will adopt a different approach to the work for subsequent phases that will ensure that once a line or group of lines are demolished we complete the work within a maximum of 12 weeks.

"Once more, we wish to express our special appreciation to our hardworking traders for the patience, understanding and confidence they have reposed on us to conclusively deliver on the remodeling efforts in a timely manner".

He also disclosed that the official website of Abia State Ministry of Trade & Investment is currently under construction, and as soon as it is completed, there will be weekly updates on the remodeling efforts and investment opportunities in Abia State