The President Timber and Allied Industrial Market Naze Jonathan Odikanwa (JP) who is also the Owerri Zonal Chairman, National Association of Nigeria Traders has expressed dismay over the abandonment of Naze Industrial Market by the present Imo State Government, describing it as unfortunate Odikanwa made the displeasure while speaking to newsmen recently in his office.
He hinted that before they left Wetheral Road for Naze, they had an agreement with the government, but regretted that till now government refused to keep to their own side of the agreement. He said "we had agreement with the state government before we left Wetheral, we agreed that any trading or work with building materials must relocate to Naze Market, but regrettably that understanding was not kept, hence some traders are still in the town doing same business we are doing here. We expect government to enforce the agreement by making sure that those markets are relocated to Naze. Infact nothing is happening here, they agreed that they will provide fire service station here, provide us with clinic, build water scheme, toilet facilities, electricity, and assess roads. But tell me among all these, the one that is here. Electricity and assess road suppose to be paramount in an industrial market of this magnitude, how can we operate without electricity and road. This market is about collapsing before Friendship International through the MOU we had with government to build operate and transfer back, came and build this one road we are using today.
After building the road he was ask to go by government without paying him kobo, quite unfair. What we are saying is that a market of this magnitude suppose not to have only one road.
We are asking government to open the road that connects the market to Akachi road". Odikanwa who frowned over the ugly situation decried a situation where his members will continue to die as a result of pollutions that comes from different kinds of generating machines "under that agreement, electricity and road was paramount, it is very important that they give us electricity, our only source of light here is generator, which has done more harm than good". He however applauded the commissioner for commence and industry.
Hon. Ifeanyi Ararume (Jnr) on the way be handled the matter they presented to his office, pointing out that they are looking forward for more harmonious and cordial relationship with his office. He pleaded with the rescue mission Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha to come to their rescue, by providing to them some of the necessary things needed in the market. "We know his Excellency is working, we want to feel his presence in this market, Naze industrial market is the biggest and most peaceful market in the whole of Imo”. He said.