Abia State government has closed down 31 markets in Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state.
The markets, known in local parlance as Akpakara (Scrap and Wastes Markets), was closed down Tuesday evening.
The government in an announcement made on Tuesday by the Abia State Commissioner for Trade and Investment; Chief John Okiyi Kalu, on behalf of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, said the closure affected only Scrap and Wastes Markets in the city.
According to him, the markets will remain closed “pending the proper identification of those involved in the collection and sale of scraps as well as the proper organization of the trade to eliminate associated criminal activities”.
The as listed are:
1. Port Harcourt Express Road by Tonimas Junction
2. Umuode Village by Nwanyi Moto in Osisioma
3. Port Harcourt Express Road near Harmony Park by Enyimba
4. Port Harcourt Express Road by Ubani Junction
5. Uratta Integrated Market Scrap Dealers
6. Backyard Gate Alaoji along Port Harcourt Road
7. Port Harcourt Express Road by Okwuonu junction, Uratta
8. Ariaria Market after Bakassi Office
9. Old Express by Samek Faulks Road
10. 51, PH Road by Hollywood, Aba
11. Cemetery Road by Railway
12. Weeks Road by Cemetery Road, Aba
13. 77, Clifford Road, Aba
14. Etche Road Scrap Dealers
15. School Road by Old Court
16. Constitution Crescent by John 3:16 Ministry, Aba
17. Peoples Road, Ogbor- Hill
18. SANCAS School, Ikot- Ekpene Road, Ohanze near Dan Dollars Filling Station
19. Inside Ehiere Market
20. Ikot- Ekpene Road by EZESCO Ogbor- – Hill, Aba
21. Alaoji by EASYON Filling Station Ogbor-Hill, Aba
22. Alaoji by High Two Filling Station Ogbor-Hill, Aba
23. Umuafor Federal School by Lord Chosen Church, Ogbor-Hill, Aba
24. Federal Road by Obikabia at the back of Uche Filling Station, Aba
25. Opposite Zone 6 Police Station, Ogbor-Hill, Aba
26. 3, Glass Road, by Anaemerem Hospital
27. Water Side by Umuoba Road
28. Behind Eziama Police Station, Ogbor-Hill, Aba
29. Opposite OLAS Oil, Ogbor-Hill, Aba
30. Georges Street by Bible College
31. 1b, Ozuitem Road by Ngwa Road etc
The announcement however directed the executives of the markets and security agents are to ensure compliance with the directive, even as it also directed leaders of the various scrap and waste market groups in the state to meet with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Investment, Sir Michael Egwu, on Tuesday, 17th May 2022
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
