Governor Peter Mbah laid the foundation stone for the construction of a 5,000-shop-capacity Nsukka International Market on Saturday.

Speaking at the event, Mbah promised that his administration would always take into account persons affected by development projects in Enugu.

He dismissed the allegation of targeting compensation for the former occupants of Ogige Market, Nsukka, where he built the Nsukka Transport Terminal.

He said that his inclusive development model made it imperative for him to ensure that the modern transport terminal projects cut across the state.

The governor cited Ogbete, Holy Ghost, Abakpa Nike, and Garki as other areas where the government had to relocate shop owners to construct the transport terminals.

“This is beyond groundbreaking for me because this is something that has provoked emotions and sometimes even attempts to mislead and frame a false narrative. Sometimes, it is not about misunderstanding government’s intentions, but a sheer evil agenda of enemies of public good.

“This is just to put on record that our intention to construct the Nsukka Modern Transport Terminal is in the overriding public interest,” he said.

According to him, many months ago, his administration made the decision to revamp the transportation sector by building a world-class, modern bus terminal.

“There were people who were located in these different areas that were originally mapped out as transport terminals. We cannot be talking about development and only be thinking about a section of our state, which is why we could not have been constructing world-class terminals in the state without constructing one in Nsukka. It is a one-stop shop for everything,” Mr Mbah said.

He also stated that his goal was to complete the market by the end of 2025 and assured traders at the former Ogige Market that they would be given priority during the allocation of shops.

The chairman of Nsukka LGA, Jude Asogwa, stated that the market and numerous development projects initiated by the governor would bring significant benefits, including economic growth and empowerment, to the people of Nsukka, in particular, and the Enugu North zone.

He said, “We have been joyful over the world-class transport terminal that you built for us. While we were still celebrating it, we are here today to lay the foundation for the Nsukka International Market. We do not know how to describe you and your good work. It is inexplicable, to say the least.

“I have told the people of Nsukka, whose shops were affected, to come and have their names registered with us,” Mr Asogwa said.

(NAN)