Umuahia timber market moves to permanent site

Abia State government has relocated the timber market at World Bank Estate, Umuahia to its permanent site at Ahia Eke in Umuahia North Local Government Area, in an attempt to decongest the metropolis as well as bring development closer to the suburbs of the town.

Plans are also on to relocate the main market at Club Road to Ubani Ibeku, also in Umuahia North local Government Area of the State.

Although some residents expressed disaffection over the demolition of the old timber market, which they claimed were carried out to punish some people in the area, Ugochukwu Emezue, chief press secretary to Governor Theodore Orji, however, disputed their claims describing it as malicious, stating that there was no iota of truth in their claims.

According to Emezue, it is cheap blackmail that is targeted at distracting the government from focusing on its legacy projects aimed at transforming the state. He explained that having completed the permanent site for the new timber market, government had to move in since the deadline given to the traders had expired after several months of warning ahead of the demolition.

Emezue hinted that the traders are happy for the new market as they are settling down to a new environment that is quite commendable. He argued that the exit of old timber market to the new site has brought a new lease of life to Umuahia, as the Governor is bent on giving the state capital a new face in terms of development and aesthetics and hinted that the main market in Umuahia, will soon be moved to its new site at Ubani market early next year.

Emezue urged all Abians to remain committed in their support for the present administration in the State, as the government is gradually placing Abia on the world stage, despite the lean resources at its disposal.