Akwa Ibom plans regional markets to boost economic activity, create wealth

Akwa Ibom State government has announced plans to establish regional markets in the three senatorial districts of the state, as part of efforts to create wealth and ensure sustainable economic programme.

Each of the market projects would be undertaken through Public Private Partnership and would have 5,000 stores alongside banks and a sewage system.

Governor Udom Emmanuel, who made this known while flagging off the project in Eket Senatorial district, said similar regional markets would be established in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene senatorial districts of the state.

He said the time had come for innovative ideas that would lift the country from the current economic doldrums rather than distract the focus of the administration.

He assured the women of the availability of funds through a micro credit scheme to enable them have access to funds, secure the market stalls as well as grow their businesses.

He used the opportunity to express appreciation to the people for returning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the just concluded house of assembly re-run election saying that the victory was a confirmation that Akwa Ibom is a PDP State.

In his remarks, Emmanuel Enoidem, commissioner for investment said the construction of the market would be carried out using prefabricated concrete technology adding the project would employment at least 5,000 youths during its construction.

The commissioner added that the market project would be completed within fifteen months and solicited cooperation from the community to ensure a hitch-free operation.

The representative of the construction firm, CICASA, Lawrence Jekotola said the project, which is the first of its kind in the country would contribute to the capacity building of youths and that every facility that would be assembled would be of world class standard.

The House of Assembly representative for the area, David Lawrence, political leader, Ndueso Essien and Chairman Eket Local Government Council, Francis Archibong, in their goodwill messages expressed appreciation to the governor for the vision of establishing the market describing a state of the art “that befits the cosmopolitan area which has played host to many foreign nationals and people from all parts of the country.”