By NewsCritic Reporters
The Immediate past Interim Management Team of the Eziukwu Road International Market Aba has expressed immense gratitude to the Abia state Governor Dr Alex Otti for the opportunity given to them to serve the traders, and the good people of the state.
This is just as they appealed to their successors to be intentional in the sustenance of the fight against the manufacturing, distribution and sales of illicit, counterfeit and expired products at the Market.
The out gone management, while noting its formal hand over of the affair, liabilities and assets of the market to the new leadership also appreciated the immediate past State Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment Dr Chemezie Ukaegbu for his immeasurable support and role in the modest achievements recorded during their 17 months in office.
In a statement issued on Monday June 23, 2025 in Aba by its erstwhile Chairman Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, the former leadership particularly expressed satisfaction that it handed over to its successor a robust and functional administrative network, which was almost non-existent in the last 38 years.
Sir Udeigbo noted that his administration, among other things also resuscitated and reactivated moribund water supply system in the market, improved electricity supply through the installation of a new 500 kva transformer in conjunction with Jomec Holden Nigeria Ltd.
He noted that his leadership in a bid to ensure a seamless management and administration of the market under took the computerization of the system, which also has been impacting positively on the operation.
Sir Udeigbo expressed happiness that his administration left behind a strong and responsive security architecture, including the rejigging of the security personnel department, the installation of gates in some entry and exit points of the market, as well as the fencing of some parts that are considered vulnerable to the activities of merchants of fake and adulterated products.
According to Udeigbo, from a near zero level which his administration inherited from past leaderships of 38 years standing, his government has laid a solid foundation for the new interim management to build
upon.
He emphasized the urgent need for the present leadership to insist on the Eziukwu Road Market not being a haven for merchants of counterfeit and expired products.
“When we came in, the issue of the illegal activities of manufacturers and distributors of adulterated and expired products was one of the major problems we encountered.
Despite threats and blackmail, I am happy that we did our best to change the narrative. Our commitment towards fighting the menace brought us face to face with some entrenched forces.
But we thank God and Abia state Government for supporting and strengthening us in our resolve to free the market from the bad image given to it by the ungodly activities of merchants of counterfeit products.
“We are urging the new leadership of the market to be intentional in the sustenance of the battle against those who are not only bringing bad name to Abia state, but are directly and indirectly aborting the dreams of millions of Nigerians through untimely deaths.
“We want to sincerely thank His Excellency the Governor of Abia state Dr Alex Otti for finding us worthy to serve, and partner with him in his quest for a new and prosperous Abia state.
In this case, we also like to place on record the immeasurable support from and cordial working relationship which were extended to us by the former Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu and other Government officials which space would not allow us to mention”, Chief Udeigbo stated.
Chief Udeigbo, who is also the immediate past President General of the Abia state Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, expressed the readiness of the members of the out gone Eziukwu Road market to further make themselves available in the service of the state in the future.
This is as they pledged to assist the new leadership by way of offering useful suggestions on ways of moving the market forward.
