By Ejike Abana :
Anambra State Government has concluded the integrity tests it conducted on market stalls in Ochanja Central market, Onitsha.
The state Material Testing Laboratory conducted the tests on buildings sealed by the state in the market.
Recall that on the 15th of July, 2022, a joint government task force comprising officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Anambra State Physical Planning Board, ANSPPB, visited the market, following reports of the existence of unapproved and illegal structures at spaces designated for parks and fire service department in the market.
Afterwards, the Ministry and the Board commissioned the State Materials Testing Laboratory to carry out integrity tests on the buildings especially with complaints of casualties resulting from the partial collapse of some of the buildings.
Presenting the report of the tests at ANSPPB Headquarters, Amawbia, the Executive Chairman of the Lab, Mr Ebosie Ezeoke explained that in doing their work, they visited the market on four different occasions, mainly on Sundays to avoid inhibiting business activities.
While stating that they had the corperation of the market union as the exercise lasted, he pointed out that the reports feature sketches, blocks, columns, beams and other aspects of the buildings to help identify the blocks that passed or failed the test.
Mr Ezeoke sounded a note of warning to the market union that there are sanctions for non-compliance with the recommendations made by the government laboratory.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Obinna Ngonadi noted that when they visited the market for on the spot assessment, illegalities were observed, which informed the setting up of the committee on the directive of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, though he owned up to the fact that some of the structures were done before the advent of the present administration, leading to the market master plan being bastardized.
While stating that the exercise will be extended to other markets in the state, Commissioner Ngonadi who revealed that the state government is interested in protecting the life of every onye Anambra, said the report will be presented to the governor and a decision will be taken on the matter, stressing, however, that even if those buildings are going to stay, a significant part of them will be reviewed.
Also speaking, the Chairman of ANSPPB, Barrister Chike Maduekwe expressed delight that the report of the lab was concluded in record time to aid government in its duty of protecting life and property.
While revealing that the Board will commence operation show your permit from 1st October, 2022 targeted at people who built structures in the past five years, Barrister Maduekwe lamented that the existence of so many markets in the state does not really translate to revenue due to various degrees of illegalities.
He applauded the Governor for taking the bold step to do the right thing in the journey to a more liveable and prosperous smart-megacity, explaining that the operation show your permit is not about generating revenue for government but about saving lives and checking illegalities.
For the Chairman of Ochanja Central market, Bonaventure Muo, they are willing to comply with the government but expressed worry that lack of continuity in policy by state governments has been the major reason for the illegality in the markets.
