Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the Ekiosa Market in Oredo Local Government Area of the State, on completion, will have 24/7 electricity supply, a Primary Healthcare Centre, and other modern facilities, which to a large extent, will promote their social-economic activities.
The governor said this while addressing traders during the groundbreaking ceremony to commence construction work at the site.
He said, “December four years ago, our women were put in pain as the market was set on fire because of politics. But I am here today as promised to rebuild the market that was burnt down by the Lions and Tigers. I will fulfil all my promises before I leave office. By the grace of God, the new governor will commission the market in nine months from now.
“They are playing politics with local government autonomy in Abuja, saying the State Government is taking local government funds, knowing fully well that the State is richer than local governments. They are doing politics and turning our democracy upside down. The Local Government will collect revenues in this market but the State is building it. The market belongs to the local government.
“We are here to show that the State is richer than the local government and will support the local government. The local government doesn’t have such resources. That is why we are building it for them.”
Obaseki continued: “This market we are building is the new way to build markets from now into the future. Market women need a good place to stay and sell their products, goods and services because they stay longer in the market. The market needs to be comfortable for them. Our design is to show that our administration wants to start to build modern markets in Edo State.
“The design doesn’t carry a Primary Healthcare Centre so I instructed them to add it. This will enable sick market women to treat themselves if they are sick in the market. There will be doctors in the market. We already have free Wi-Fi working in the market (EdoNet) to improve the network for PoS operators.
“We have already connected 2nd East Circular Road to Ossiomo Power supply. We will light up the market. You will have 24/7 electricity here. We will also provide more water sources in the market.”
Obaseki expressed appreciation to the market women for supporting his administration since assuming office.
He noted, “We don’t have any abandoned projects in Edo State as all the projects we have started will be finished before leaving office. Continue to pray for our government and the country.
“Some people came a few days ago to cause confusion in the market as they want to impose a leader for us in our market. We warn them to stop that politics. We do whatever we want in Edo State. We know what we want in Edo as an illiterate cannot lead us in Edo State.
“We are educated people. They say they have federal might. We are waiting for them to kill us all before they capture the State. An illiterate cannot rule us as governor. Don’t be afraid as the people will choose their leader and the governor they want. We have done it before and will do it again.”
The Executive Chairman of Oredo Local Government Council, Dr. Tom Obaseki thanked the governor for making the commencement of reconstruction of the market a reality, adding that on completion the market will have 1,700 open stalls, 85 lock-up stalls, a loading bay, livestock lots, utility and service block, toilets, lush green area and car park.
He said traders who had stores in the market before the fire incident four years ago should go to the Council Secretariat for verification and validation.
The Chairperson, Edo State Market Association, Madam Blacky Ogiamien, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise and assured him that the market women will support whoever he supports for the September 21 governorship election.