Anambra State Government to rebuild Ose-Okwodu market Onitsha under a PPP arrangement

www.odogwublog.com brings you this outreach by Governor Willie Obiano.
The State Government is to rebuild the Ose-Okwodu Market, Onitsha and provide it with modern market facilities, under a Public Private Partnership Arrangement.

Governor Willie Obiano revealed this when he presented cash compensations to victims of last year’s fire incident at the Market in his country home, Aguleri.

The fire incident which occurred in April last year, had seen about 97 traders on various products lose goods and cash worth millions of naira.

Governor Obiano had immediately set up a panel headed by the traditional ruler of Nteje, Igwe Rowland Odegbo to investigate the remote causes of the inferno and profer recommendations to government on measures to avert future occurrence and assuage the affected traders.

The Panel had earlier submitted its report, one of which included providing financial assistance to the affected traders.

Presenting the compensation, Governor Obiano said the gesture was in keeping with his promise to Ndi Anambra to continue to pursue programmes that will have positive impact on their lives.

The Governor noted that government has since commenced the implementation of the White Paper presented by the Panel as evident in the provision of Fire truck and other fire-prevention facilities to the market and the distribution of the cash compensation.

He urged traders across the various markets in the state to shun preventable practices capable of causing such disasters at the markets, noting that his government is working through the various Market Associations to intensify monitoring activities to ensure safety at the markets.

Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Solo Chukwulobelu explained that a Sub-committee had been set up to devise a formular for the distribution of the total sum of #10 million provided by the government, to ensure that the distribution is carried out in a manner that all the affected persons benefit according to the value of their losses.

On his part, the Chairman of the Panel, Igwe Odegbo thanked Governor Obiano for living up to his promise to provide succor to the fire victims, adding that the token will help avail the traders the much-need financial respite and confidence of the government’s commitment towards their welfare.

One of the affected victims, Mrs Ebele Orji whose joy knew no bounds, described the governor as a humane leader who is sensitive to the plights of the led, and prayed God to reward him immensely for the gesture, assuring him of their support towards his government.

Highpoint was presentation of the cash compensation to the traders.