By Euginia Oguneme
Executives of traders operating at the Gwongewrow portion of Onitsha Main Market have appealed to the Anambra State Government to extend the deadline for traders at the UAC, Upper UAC, First UAC and Universal Lines to December 2026.
The traders said the extension would enable them to take advantage of the upcoming festive trading season and dispose of their existing stocks before vacating their shops to pave the way for the ongoing reconstruction of the market.
The appeal was made on Aug. 14 when the market executives paid a courtesy visit to the Anambra State Commissioner for Housing, Arc. Arize Henry, in his office in Awka.
Speaking during the visit, Chairman of the Upper UAC Line, Chief Cyril Nwankwo, said most traders in the affected lines dealt in children’s and mothers’ products, which required adequate time to sell, particularly with the festive season approaching.
Nwankwo appealed to the state government to grant the traders sufficient time to clear their existing stocks before the reconstruction activities affected their operations.
Also speaking, Chairman of the UAC Line, Mr Frank Ugboma, commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his transformational efforts in the state, describing the ongoing reconstruction as a significant initiative that would reposition the economic fortunes of the Main Market.
Ugboma appealed to the authorities to consider allowing traders to retain shops within their existing lines after the reconstruction at affordable rates, to enable them to continue their businesses without unnecessary disruption.
Responding, the commissioner advised the traders to engage directly with the contractor handling the project to obtain detailed information on the reconstruction plans and understand how traders would be accommodated during and after the project.
On the issue of shop prices after completion, Arize said the cost could not be determined at the moment because the reconstruction was still ongoing.
He, however, assured the traders that they would be treated fairly, adding that consideration would be given to maintaining their existing positions within the market.
The commissioner urged the traders to cooperate with relevant authorities and the contractor to ensure the smooth execution of the project, which he said was aimed at providing a modern and functional market environment for traders and residents.
Euginia Oguneme is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
