The Enugu government says it has begun the construction of a new International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Trades Market at 9th Mile, near Enugu, on the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.

The managing director of the Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, disclosed this during a meeting with the leadership of the Enugu Motor Spare Parts and Allied Trades Association, Coal Camp, Enugu, on Monday.

Mr Ogbu-Nwobodo said the market fulfilled Governor Peter Mbah’s electoral promise to build a world-class market for the association. He described the condition of the traders at Coal Camp as pathetic and prone to environmental hazards, adding that no business could thrive in such an unconducive environment.

“During the last campaign period, they asked the State Government to provide them with a more conducive environment that could accommodate all of them.

“Today, as we speak, work has commenced on the site. The governor is fulfilling the promise he made to the traders and he is relentless in making sure that their businesses grow,” Mr Ogbu-Nwobodo said.

He added, “It is going to be an ecosystem that supports modern businesses, commercial and light industrial activities. There will be facilities, like modern shops and warehouses, police posts, fire protection architecture, conveniences, banks, parks, schools, health facilities, union centre, recreational facilities and other things that will enable business growth.”

Mr Ogbu-Nwobodo said the choice of 9th Mile was strategic, describing the place as a major business hub in the state. He also said siting the market at the place would give more impetus for further development around the area.

He argued that the market would also provide easy access to traders from the North, Ebonyi and Cross River, Central Africa and other areas.

According to him, the development will help to save dealers the stress of navigating through the city before offloading or exporting their goods.

The president of the association, Mike Nomeh, said previous administrations in the state did not treat the welfare of traders at Coal Camp with the priority it deserved.

Mr Nomeh said the relocation of the market was long due, pointing out that they had written several letters to past administrations to look into their welfare, but to no avail.

He, however, appealed to the governor to ensure the speedy construction of the market, saying that their present location at Coal Camp called for sympathy.

A line chairman at the market, Benjamin Eze, lauded the governor for the initiative.

Mr Eze said he had spent over 30 years at Coal Camp and had been yearning for adequate accommodation for all the traders, adding that what was happening seemed like a dream to him.

“I know that the governor is capacity-filled. I urge him to keep up with this pace because it will benefit all of us,” Mr Eze said. 

(NAN)