Abia State government has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the management of Ariaria International Market, Aba to clear the blocked drainage to control flooding in the market.
Ikpeazu stated this at the end of a crucial meeting with the management and select stakeholders in the market in the commercial city, expressing concern over the level of the flooding.
Represented by the commissioner for Trade and Investment, John Okiyi-Kalu, the governor said he was disturbed by the news of the recent flooding in the market following torrential rains in the past three weeks.
He lamented the attitude of some traders and residents of the vicinity of the market who choose to dump refuse in the drainage and those around instead of the government approved dumping sites.
On the ongoing reconstruction of the A line in the market, he said it is part of the plans by the government to upgrade the market to modern standard and appealed to the traders to exercise patience over the delay in completing it.
“At the moment the market is on lower land than Faulks road. So, this is why water from there cannot flow into the gutters. Our work plan includes raising the market so that we can achieve gradient storm water flow into the drain.
“You should exercise patience with us. But I can assure you that the governor is interested in the delivery of a world class market infrastructure in the market, hence the support we are giving to the developer,” he said.
Responding, the chairman of management, Elder Emeka Igara, thanked Ikpeazu for his concern and prompt action in finding lasting solutions to the flood and its challenges to the traders.
