Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti, in collaboration with the representatives of the Traders’ Union, has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rhino Homes to revamp and modernise Eke Oha Shopping Centre in Aba.
This initiative aims to transform the market into a digitally-enabled, modern hub with enhanced infrastructure, improved safety, and a more appealing shopping experience for traders and customers alike.
The agreement, which was signed at the Government House, Umuahia, marks the formal commencement of the phased reconstruction and transformation of the Shopping Complex into a more functional and safe trading environment.
Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem, who chairs the tripartite committee overseeing the project, described the exercise as a bold step by Governor Alex Otti’s administration to prioritise the welfare of the traders and ensure infrastructural upgrades.
“What essentially happened is that the Governor, Dr Alex Otti, is desirous of having not only a conducive trading atmosphere but also making sure that no one is short-changed in the whole exercise,” Chief Inem stated.
Inem, while recalling the deteriorating condition of the market which prompted the intervention by the State Government, cited the instances of uncontrolled development and visible structural cracks that posed serious safety threats to traders and shoppers alike.
“If you recall, there was an incident about a year or two ago when we started having some partial collapse of some sections of the market.
“We saw the whole set-up because, at the time, Ekoha was developing without control. People were indiscriminately adding structures to the extent that if you go there, you will just see an accident waiting to happen.
“No reasonable government would sit down and allow such an accident to happen. That is the main idea of remodelling and modernising the market set-up,” he said.
The Governor’s Aide explained that the phased approach to the reconstruction was deliberately designed to ensure uninterrupted trading activities, adding that temporary relocation arrangements had been made for affected traders.
He disclosed that the tripartite committee, comprising officials of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, the developers, and representatives of the Traders’ Union, was set up to coordinate the transition process and protect the interests of all parties.
“A certain level of guarantee has to be given to the traders. We have been talking for some time, ensuring that Rhino Homes keeps to the agreement in terms of timely delivery, quality of work and of course, the most important thing, which is the right of first refusal to existing shop owners within the market,” Chief Inem emphasised.
According to him, the committee also addressed compensation concerns and worked to ensure that no trader is unfairly displaced or given overbearing costs.
Chief Inem assured that the protection of traders’ interests was a key directive from Governor Otti, adding that by the agreement, the interests of the genuine traders in Ekeoha shopping plaza have been fairly taken care of.
Speaking on the choice of Rhino Homes as the project developer, Chief Inem explained that the company was selected based on its demonstrated capacity, funding ability, and technical expertise.
“Our decision to engage Rhino Homes as a preferred developer is not just out of the blue… He showed ability, he showed capacity, and he showed technical know-how to handle such a project,” the Governor’s Aide said.
He added that the committee has instituted a monthly inspection regime to track the progress of work at the market, in addition to oversight from the Ministry’s Monitoring and Evaluation department.
On his part, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Rhino Homes and properties, Mr. Chinedu Onyeizu, said that the company aims to complete at least 50 per cent of the project by 2027 and added that the second phase of shop demolition will commence in June this year.
While noting that aggressive work has already commenced at the project site, Mr Onyeizu assured that no existing trader would be displaced at the end of the project, as the company has taken inventory of all genuine shop owners, which has been verified and cleared by the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.
“We have taken inventory of all the existing shop owners, and we have also sent them to the Ministry of Commerce, which has verified and cleared them.
“So what we have done is in addition to giving them the right of first refusal, we have also provided them an incentive for them to retain their shops by discounting significantly what we have priced each shop”, Engr. Onyeizu stated.
Contributing, the Chairman of International Market, Mr Emeka Okeke, expressed satisfaction with the level of agreement and the ongoing work at the market.
Mr Okeke said traders are happy with the state government’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for their businesses.
He commended the provision of alternative trading spaces for traders whose shops have been demolished and expressed hope that subsequent phases of the project will maintain the same level of consideration and support.