By Rita Okonkwo :
Traders in Nnewi have raised alarm over the deplorable state of Timber Market Road, Agbo Edo, Nnewi.
The road which was built 4 years ago and opens to Timber (Ogbor Osisi) Market Agbo Edo, Building Materials Market, Spare Parts Market, Nkwor Nnewi and others has collapsed.
Speaking during the inauguration of an interim caretaker committee of Timber Market, Agbo Edo, Nnewi, the Patron of the market Mr. C. C Martins lamented that articulated vehicles that enter timber and other building materials markets could no longer access the road.
He expressed fears that the economic activities of the area would be grounded if urgent attention was not given, and called on the State Government to rescue the situation by awarding the road for immediate reconstruction.
Mr. Martins also called for the provision of a new fire truck in Timber market which would equally serve other markets within the environment.
According to him the fire truck stationed in the market by the past administration was old and could not function effectively.
“Now that harmattan period is near, the market is prone to fire disasters due to the nature of the operational activities of machines which process logs of woods into various sizes and shapes thereby producing sawdust and fragments that easily attract fire from any tiny spark.
“We also appeal for the provision of a health care facility that will serve this market and the rest; traders have always sustained varying degrees of injuries like deep blade cuts while operating those machines.’’
In his address, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Commerce and Industry, Mr. Eloka Maduekwe reminded traders that the vision of the Soludo’s administration is to build a livable and prosperous smart megacity, in which the provision of market infrastructure is a priority in the economic transformation plans.
He assured them that he would deliver their message to the State Government for necessary actions.
Inaugurating the new executive body, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Dr. Obinna Ngonadi, represented by the Chief Commercial Officer of the Ministry Mrs. Jossy Eboh-Nwosu urged them to always consult stakeholders in taking decisions on critical issues and to ensure that the existing peace in the market was sustained.
In his remarks, the new Caretaker Chairman Mr. Chukwudi Ayaezu, on behalf of others thanked the Government and Commissioner Ngonadi for the appointment and promised to partner with the government to build a new Anambra.
