By Uzo Ugwunze
Following the Memorandum of Understanding, MoU reached by members of the Allied Building Materials International Market, Oyi to relocate to their new site by 31st January, 2025, over 90% compliance was witnessed in the new site.
Addressing a press conference organised by the stakeholders in the Market, comprising eight (8) Unions, namely: Iron Dealers; God’s Favour Building Materials; Steel Pipe Dealers; and Plastic Tanks Unions. Others are: Combined Building Materials; PVC Pipes and Plumbing Materials; Trinity & Unity; and Premier Lock-up Union, the President General of the Market, Mr. Ejike Ignatius noted that the chairmen and Secretaries of each Union were together in the purchase and development of their new site at Nteje, Oyi LGA.
Chief Ejike observed that the issue now at stake is due to some greedy individuals among Iron Rod Dealers Union who have refused to comply with the MoU, that once you complete your shop levies, you pick your shop on first come first served bases, adding that the land was bought as market for trading and not as plots for residence.
“We searched at Oba, Nkwelle, Umunya, and found the size we wanted at Nteje, and all of us agreed to relocate here”, Ejike said.
He stressed that the state government, under Prof. Charles Soludo is implementing the agreement started by the administration of Mr. Peter Obi in 2011, which Chief Willie Obiano continued and the traders have been packing to their new site since December 15th, 2024 as directed by the State government.
“We did not force anybody, because it was a unanimous agreement, and it was announced for a very long time, yet some dissidents are still complaining”, Chief Ejike concluded.
Contributing, the former Chairman, Iron Rod Dealers; Union, Atani Road, Chief Nnaemeka Onuzulike who is also a member of the Board of Trustees, Allied Building Materials International Market, Oyi affirmed that the PG has already promised to provide about 100 shops for those complaining that there is no shop for them to pack into. He stressed that Chief Eugene Obiokoye, who is parading himself as the BOT Chairman of Iron Rod Dealers Union, which he is not, has already taken his shop and certificate, but he is still demanding for one building of 14 shops to be given to him, which is against the agreement reached by the Union.
On the issue of account, Chief Onuzulike noted that the Union agreed to render a comprehensive account at the end of the project.
“I render summary account in every general meeting. We awarded the contract to a developer at the rate of 1.450 million Naira per trader, and later made it 1.4 million flat. So, it is the contractor that is in charge of the project”, Onuzulike stated.
“I appeal to the State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, CFR, to come to our site to see what we are doing here. We are not denying anyone any shop. Once you settle your levy, you get your shop”, he concluded.
Moreso, the BOT Chairman, Iron Rod Dealers, Chief Simon Nsofor called on all Trustees to work in tandem with the Chairman and for the interest of the general members as Allied Building Materials International Market, Oyi has taken off in full swing for business.
While commending
Governor Soludo for his people oriented projects in the state, the current Chairman, Iron Rod Dealers Union, Chief Evaristus Ejezie stressed that they are obeying the state government’s directives to relocate through various official means, pointing out that he has no powers to chase anybody as he has already relocated to their new site at Nteje.
On his part, another elder, Chief Mark Ezepue who narrated their ordeal from Landlords at More Street, Onitsha to Bridge Head Market, until the space became filled up when they started seeking for a better and bigger space which they found in their permanent site, at Nteje, Oyi LGA.
Chief Ezepue observed that whoever that is not happy with their new Market site is not progressive, because the goal is for all to be accommodated in comfort.
While frowning at the insistence of some Iron Rod Dealers to remain at Atani Road due to the dumps they have at Harbour Industrial Layout, he called on Governor Soludo to assist the Union to develop their new site more with an asphalted access road for their heavy duty vehicles.
Highlights of the Press Conference were the unanimous endorsement of Governor Soludo for a second term, and a tour of the market with the members of the press, where trading activities, loading and off-loading of goods were ongoing. The perimeter fence of the Market was also seen demolished by thugs allegedly sponsored by enemies of progress.