By Kelechi Ugo.

The President of  Imo State Amalgamated Markets and Traders Association, ISAMATA,Hon. Emmanuel Ezeanochie and his entourage on Wednesday 14th February,2024 stormed World Bank Market in Owerri Municipal Council Area of Imo State for inspection of the ongoing fencing project of the Market.

Recall that the inspection emanated from the alarm raised by some traders especially chicken sellers who thought that building motor park and construction of perimeter fence that would avert dangers inside the Market will affect their businesses.

Addressing the traders, the State President of ISAMATA,Hon. Ezeanochie popularly called Chenco okayed the leadership of the Market as well as its Contractor,Hon. Chukwunonso Peter Akweke for coming up with dwarf fence with burglary proof  as approved by Owerri Capital Development Authority,OCDA and inline with  ISAMATA development plan.

Hon. Ezeanochie declared that no shop will be demolished in the cause of the dwarf fence construction as envisaged by some traders adding that no plan also to  roof the perimeter fence as rumoured.

He warned chicken sellers against shading blood of slaughtered chickens within the premises and informed them that the reason for the dwarf fence construction is to demarcate motor park from the shops. "Customers can now see where to park their vehicles and go inside market to buy items. Traders can now avert dangers associated with motor accident. For instance,traders are now protected from any form of vehicular loosing concentration.
I am a peace lover, and I want all of you to live in peace. We shall discuss any other issue relating to World Bank in due cause. And  I am hereby okayed the Contractor and leadership of the Market",Chenco concluded.

In a swift reaction,the Contractor who introduced himself as Hon. Chukwunonso Peter Akweke and former SA to the Governor on Market Affairs reiterated that the dwarf fence construction is inline with the approval of OCDA and ISAMATA.
He vowed to beautify the Market via its original plan warning traders blocking the fencing verge to vacate within the next five days.
The ebullient Government contractor recounted that he has built many markets and plazas in Imo State.

However,the Chairperson of World Bank Market,Hon. Tina Ugoezi had earlier declared her market crisis free.

Speaking to newsmen on Monday 12th February,2024,Hon. Ugoezi stated that her attention has been drawn to a publication titled,"World Bank market crisis not truly averted" published on front page of Frontline Express newspaper of Monday 12th February,2024  edition attributing it to handiwork of mischief makers.
"Those crying fowl are only afraid of our impeccable track records because non  of the traders is complaining. It is only those who converted the motor park side into chicken slaughter base,messing up the market with dirty and firthy dusty environment causing disruption and bad name to the market are crying fowl.
There is no crisis in the market,those saying there is crisis are the people who are only interested to hear about bad news which is not possible,even now there is no allegations we have not heard about us and the market,but we are the best team World Bank market can ever have because we have brought genuine and good leadership to the market with this new motor park as the least, installation of Solar street lights within and around the market. We also established, ultra morden public toilet system with borehole water system and reticulated same round the market premises. Even the open shops are my work done from the open verge and now I am their enemy because I think about there safety".

"Now, the new Park project has come to the finishing point. What we have been receiving are accolades, praises both from the traders and our neighborhood even the traditional ruler of Umuguma has called and  congratulated us". 

"On the issue of our tenure,it  is only God that makes leader. We are not the one that put ourselves on the seat and World Bank market is not only the market in the State with Caretakeship. We are doing great and believing in the government and helping to actualize the good agenda of the government. Our offence is that, we the Executives of the market are united and ready to do the right thing and we must continue to do the needful irrespective of the detractors.
Unlike before no road to World Bank market until the Governor Hope Uzodimma  rehabilitated World Bank Road from Control Post  down to Umuguma and we can not allow  street trading and blockage of the lane due to selfishness of some of our traders. That's my problem with them. Before they accused us of building shops,but now that it is certainly a fence to demarcate the market from the motor park for our safety and protection".