Environment
ABIA Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr Okiyi Kalu, says the state government is making efforts to save the Ariaria International Market from ravaging floods.
Kalu made the disclosure in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Aba.
He said that the government was constructing double two-metre tunnel across Faulks Road from A-Line, to control flooding.
NAN reports that flood has been displacing the market traders for many years.
The Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration in Abia had to remodel the market due to the menace.
Kalu said that the tunnel would channel storm water from A-Line axis under construction, to Aba River through Faulks/Osusu Road drainage system.
He said that the developer of the market, Blessed Henken International Company Ltd. would connect the wide drains to the Ifeobara Pond.
He said that the connection would provide an alternative channel for the flow of storm water to the natural collection points at Aba River in the ongoing reconstruction project of Omuma Road.
He expressed sympathy to traders, who were affected by the recent flooding of the market occasioned by torrential rains in the past few days.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the market, Mr Emeka Igara, commended the state government for intervening in the plight of traders.
“This flooding has been happening before this present government decided to put an end to it by starting rebuilding of the market.
“ I sympathise with my fellow traders, and I commend the government for its efforts to end flooding of Ariaria.
“You can see that the new buildings are of great standards, and this is what a market should look like.
“I am happy that the new buildings are of the best standards and are not the type anybody can mess up with,’’ he said.
Igara, however, blamed the flooding partly on traders who blocked drains with extensions to their shops. (NAN)
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Tags: Ariaria International Market Okiyi Kalu
