Eighty traders at Onitsha Main Market, Anambra, on Wednesday were declared winners of the Otunkwo Cooperative Society Federal Mortgage Bank Housing Estate phase 1 project.

The raffle draw, which took place in front of the market White House, was conducted by officials of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, represented by Ibuzo Chris, zonal manager at Enugu and Okonkwo Chigozie, from Anambra.

Others were the representatives of WEMA Bank, Ms Agbo Ngozi and the chairman of the Onitsha market, Innocent Ezeoha, who doubles as the chairman of Otunkwo Cooperative Society.

Addressing the gathering before the draw, the market chairman stated that the exercise would give traders the opportunity to own houses, expressing satisfaction that the project is extended to all residents, not just civil servants.

The event coordinator, Akunwata Modebe, said it was believed to be civil servants’ project, adding that all could be beneficiaries.

“Basically, two things happened here today: one is the launch and selection for the Otu Nkowo Cooperative Society Housing Estate. The Otu Nkowo Cooperative Society is an association for members of the Main Market in Onitsha,” stated Mr Modebe.

He added, “The raffle draw is the second thing that happened here today because there are many members in the market. You need a raffle draw so that you can carefully and, by transparency, select the off-takers so that there will be no rancour.”

Mr Modebe also noted that there would be “no rancour on how they are selected as you can see, everything is done in front of everybody.”

(NAN)