The Chairman of Ika South Local Government, Engr. Jerry Ehiwarior, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to completing the ongoing Ekuku Agbor Market project to the required standard, describing the facility as an important investment in the commercial future of the community and the wider Ika South economy.
Ehiwarior made the assertion on Tuesday when he inspected the project, expressing satisfaction with the progress of work and directing that critical components, including access, drainage, sanitation, security and the general organisation of the market, receive adequate attention.
He said the administration was particularly interested in projects that would have a direct impact on the daily lives and economic activities of the people, noting that a modern market was not merely a physical structure but an investment in the livelihoods of traders, artisans , transport operators and other businesses that depend on commercial activity.
“This project is important to the people of Ekuku Agbor and to the wider Ika South economy. We want to see a market that is functional, properly organised and capable of supporting the businesses of our people. Our responsibility is to ensure that the project is delivered to the standard expected by the community,” he said.
The Chairman also directed that attention be given to areas that would enhance the eventual functionality of the market , including access, drainage, sanitation, security and the general organisation of the trading environment.
According to him, the administration would continue to engage with stakeholders so that the concerns of prospective users of the facility could be taken into consideration before the market becomes fully operational.
The Chairman said the project was being approached with the long-term needs of the community in mind, stressing that the objective was to provide a market that would remain useful and relevant to traders and residents for years to come. He urged stakeholders to take ownership of the facility and support efforts to keep the environment properly maintained when it becomes operational.
Ehiwarior reiterated that public infrastructure must translate into practical benefits for the people and that projects undertaken for the community must be monitored to ensure that they serve their intended purpose. He assured the people of Ekuku Agbor that the local government would continue to monitor the project and work with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the facility is completed to the required standard and made fully functional for the benefit of traders and residents.
Providing a technical update during the inspection, the supervising engineer, Engr. Nduka Okoh , took the Chairman through the various sections of the project and briefed him on the level of work completed and the areas still requiring attention.
Okoh explained the technical stages of the project and the work being undertaken to ensure that the facility is delivered to the required standard.
The President General of Ekuku Agbor Community, Mr. Samuel Onwuemene, businessman Mr. Chidi Odonga, former Ekuku Agbor Community Youth President Mr. Lawrence Enwefa, market women Mrs. Joy Utomi and Mrs. Hellen Onyemaka, and NURTW Chairman, Mr. Donald Chukwuma, welcomed the progress of the project and commended the Chairman for personally inspecting the facility. They described the market as an important development for the community and stressed the need to complete the remaining works, particularly those relating to access, sanitation and safety.
The inspection formed part of the Chairman’s ongoing monitoring of projects being executed for the people of Ika South.
