Edo Government To Transform Markets To Ultra Modern
Afimag.com –
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has directed his Chief of Staff and President of Market Women’s Association in the state to come up with a list of markets to be rebuilt.
Obaseki who disclosed this during a meeting with the executives of market women associations across the state, advised the shopkeepers to support the project for proper action on ensuring a clean and conducive environment for commerce in the markets.
He stressed the need to transform the markets across the state to more acceptable standards, saying that it was important for the traders to key into the notion and support the government before he could go ahead with the project.
He said, “The design of Ekiosa market is ready but we can’t start the construction without the input of market women. They need to look at our design and when they are pleased with it, then we would go ahead with the groundbreaking ceremony so that we can commence construction.
“In the design, we have a playground for children, creche, primary, healthcare centre and other facilities. We need the input of market women. When you are satisfied with the design, we will then commence the building. We can’t embark on the project now because of the election which will disturb the delivery of the project. We should be patient and allow the election to pass and after which we will do the foundation laying ceremony and start building it.
On Oba market, Obaseki said, “Trading in some parts of the market will make it difficult to rebuild it. If you people can help us move them from that part to another, it will be easier for us to start the construction. We need to form a market committee before the end of February.
“Members of the committee will come from Oredo Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), government officials and the market women group. The committee will agree on when contractors will be mobilised to site as well as help clear the traders at the burnt site of the Oba Market to enable us commence construction work. We will also form another committee that will help us with a list of markets that we need to build in the state before the end of our tenure.
“The committee should be formed before the end of this week. The president of the market women, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Oredo, Ikpoba-Okah and Egor HOLGAs should come together and form a committee within one week and come back with the list of markets to be developed.
“Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts should also meet and do likewise to let us know the main markets to build for the people as the association will help us with the necessary information that will help us do the needful. We are doing our best as government to light up the state to help market women extend their sales period.
“But this effort has led to the state being dirtier. The dirt around our markets is too much. We must clean Edo. We call on you to help us and join hands with the government to clean Edo State,” he said.