Gov Okezie Ikpeazu


Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, Monday  reiterated his commitment to ensuring the welfare of traders in the State, even as he expressed his desire to modernize Ariaria International Market to international standard.

The governor affirmed that his government would provide the needed infrastructure as part of his plans towards ensuring a conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the State.

The Abia chief executive  spoke during an  interactive session with Ariaria traders and other market leaders during a townhall meeting organized by the Ministry of Trade and Investment at the Hotel Du Golf, Aba.

Gov Ikpeazu urged the traders  to partner with the government in its efforts to achieve all-round development, especially with the remodelling of the Ariaria International Market and stressed that they should bear with the government as it strives to fix Faulks Road - a major access road to the market, emphasizing that work will recommence as soon as the dry season kicks in with rigid pavement technology to be applied at the problematic portions of the road. 

He further expressed his desire to make Ariaria a modern Market of international standard.

"We have taken note of your challenges and will take deliberate actions to alleviate the sufferings of traders and also grow the economy. We are constrained financially, but we will get it done. 

"We have challenges in the area of access roads to the markets, especially with those traders and business people from neighboring states who wish to do business in our State. We are calling on the Federal Government to help fix the Major federal roads in the state to enable better access to our economic nodes from other states."

Earlier in his remarks, the state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, re-emphasized Government commitment to complete the remodelling of Ariaria International Market within reasonable time stating that all the initial obstacles to the project have been dealt with.

Okiyi assured the traders whose shops were demolished of Government commitment to their welfare stating that all affected traders will get their shops back before others.

The traders expressed support to the Gov Ikpeazu led administration and promised to work with the developer handling the Ariaria International Market project to ensure that the remodelling process is completed on time.

The meeting also had in attendance the State Commissioner for Works, Elder Bob Ogu, who outlined the plans for the recommencement of work along Faulks Road,  Aba as well the internal roads and drainages in Ariaria, among other senior government functionaries.