By Ihechinyere Chigemeri-Uwom
Aba, Dec. 2, 2024
The Ariaria Allotees Traders Association has said that 85 per cent of old shop owners in Ariaria International Market have been allotted shops after the remodeling of the market.
This is contained in a communique signed by the association’s Chairman, Chief Goddy Udunna, and Secretary, Mr. Boniface Enemuo.
The communique emanated from a meeting held by the association and made available to newsmen on Monday in Aba.
It debunked claims by some individuals, who were allegedly misleading the public with claims of being marginalised in the allocation of shops at the remodelled A-Line section of the market.
The communique stated that traders interested in getting shops must fulfill certain requirements necessary for allocation of shops and anyone that does not meet these requirements would not receive one.
It stated: “We are also aware of the activities of some group of people who are fermenting trouble and alleging that their shops were taken from them without allowing them to buy back their shops.
“This group of people have not even purchased or obtained application of interest form from UBA yet they are the ones agitating and picking holes (fault finders).
“Before now, they told interested traders who obtained application forms that they will lose their money because the project will not see the light of the day.
“It is pertinent to state here that 80-85% of the previous shop owners have been able to acquire their shops back.”
The communique stated that there were 3,800 shops before the remodelling project and accurate statistics from the contractor reveal that 4,800 shops have been developed for use in the new market.
It strongly condemned the activities of mischievous individuals working to undermine the commendable efforts made to transform the market and urged such individuals to desist from such unpatriotic actions.
The communique encouraged all former shop owners, as well as new applicants interested in acquiring shops, to fully comply with the established process for reacquisition.
It also stated that the association aligns with the noble initiative of the government to support traders in reclaiming their shops through accessible financing arrangements facilitated by banks at reasonable interest rates.
“We wish to categorically state that when this project was at early stage we fought tooth and nail to stop Abia State government from embarking on the project.
“We dragged the government to court, held series of meetings at various locations in an effort to convince government not to carry on with the remodelling project.
“The government insisted on the remodelling of Ariaria International Market in order to bring it up to international standard rather than the dilapidated structures we had then as shops.
“The government encouraged us by offering to provide loan facilities to traders who are willing to acquire their shops back.
“The loan facility was in the tune of N10,000, 000, with duration and repayment period of 48 months, which each trader may be given the sum of N4 million to N5 million each at friendly interest rate.
“This information was passed across through mass and electronic media and fliers which were printed by United Bank of Africa (UBA), the loan facilitators,” the communique stated.
In separate interviews with newsmen, some traders commended the government for its sustained efforts in ensuring that the market meets international standards.
One of the traders, Mr. Frank Moses, described the remodelled shops as a demonstration of the contractors’ remarkable dedication to professionalism.
Moses said that every trader that had secured a shop in the market met certain requirements before they were allotted one.
He said that the requirements for securing a shop required purchasing an Expression of Interest Form for N20,000, along with a payment of N5 million for existing traders or N6 million for new traders.
Another trader, Mrs. Edith Ewenwa said that no shop was given for free, and that all shop owners met the stipulated requirements before they were allotted their spaces.
Ewenwa said that it was unfortunate that certain individuals had decided to incite trouble and demand free allocation of shops and described such actions as unhelpful.