The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has directed all mechanics and vehicle spare parts dealers in Aba, especially those around areas like Clifford Road, School Road, and Azikiwe Road, to begin preparing for their relocation to the newly constructed Industrial Cluster and Mechanic Village at Ovom, which is located along Opobo Road in the Obingwa LGA.
Yesterday, traders and mechanics met with the Governor at the Ovom Mechanic Village, where he discussed the situation with them. He stated that mechanic workshops and activities would no longer be permitted to deface Aba township because the movement was non-negotiable.
When traders and mechanics asked Governor Ikpeazu why they couldn’t continue to operate in Aba town. He explained that his philosophy is not to expel any businessman from where he does business without first finding a suitable replacement, which could harm the state’s economy.
He argued that the government would use all legal means, including force and arrest, to force them to relocate, noting that the new market is ready and the government has the authority to do so.
As a result, he invited them to visit the new Industrial Cluster to see the seriousness and sincerity of his administration’s commitment to their well-being and business growth.
According to the Governor, mechanics and spare parts dealers in the city’s central business district have numerous drawbacks, including impeding waste management and environmental cleanliness, converting residential buildings into market stalls, distorting building purpose clauses, destroying public infrastructure, and more.
When asked about their concerns about the cost of the shops, he promised that his administration would look into the matter and that the government would provide palliatives to the first 100 merchants who obtained the form and relocated to the new location. When the official commissioning of the market in Aba is completed, it will be illegal for anyone to conduct any business in the area.
When asked about the severe flooding in the area, the Governor stated that they were already being addressed. He had given instructions to the Commissioner of Works to expedite the process. The Governor told the mechanics and vehicle spare parts traders that the compensation issues and other related matters were being addressed.
The Honorable Commissioner for Industries, Uwaoma Olewengwa, previously stated that the Industrial Cluster, which is a Public-Private Partnership, is ready for traders to use. Taking advantage of the government’s relocation efforts, she advised the traders to relocate as soon as possible. The Industrial Cluster, she said, was specifically designed to meet the needs of traders and mechanics. According to her, the new Industrial Cluster has everything a business needs to thrive, such as banking services, restaurants, etc.
On the other hand, the CEO of Total Value Limited, the Government Partners in the market’s development, thanked the state’s Governor for their efforts to bring investors into the State and assured traders that they would be key stakeholders in both the ownership and operation of the Mechanic Village.
Onyekachukwu Udeaja, Chairman of the Aba Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, thanked Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration for the new Mechanic Village, which he described as standard for their business. But asked the Governor to intervene in the reduction of shop unit costs so traders can move quickly and become owners of the shops rather than mere tenants. He thanked the governors for their assistance and urged them to go above and beyond.
Elder Raymond Aliga, former Deputy Governor Eric Acho Nwakanma, and Traditional Ruler Eze Otete of the Host Community were among those who accompanied the Governor on his trip, which also included Chief Okey Ahiwe and Elder Eric Acho Nwakanma.
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