By Ejike Abana
The ongoing modern regeneration of the famous Onitsha Main Market—reputed to be the largest open-air market in West Africa—is set for completion by December.
Officials of the Anambra State Government gave the assurance during an inspection tour of the facility by a delegation from the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
Speaking during the tour, the Anambra State Commissioner for Housing, Architect Henry Arinze described Governor Soludo as a stickler for excellence, stating that five boreholes have been sunk, access roads widened and opened up, toilet facilities built, among other facility installations and upgrades.
Corroborating his views, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Nomso Ebonwu alongside Professor Ebuka Nwankwo who is the Special Adviser on Special Projects and Director of Project Evaluation and Monitoring recalled that the market was built in 1900, but was burnt down after the Civil War and pointed out that the last major construction that took place at the market was during the Ukpabi Asika administration.
They added that since then, nothing has been done, which was why the state government stepped in.
Representing the Anambra State COREN Chairman, Engr. Akaolisa Ezeagu, expressed satisfaction with the project and commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for taking the bold initiative to modernize the market while noting that this is its first major remodeling since 1970.
He praised the structural integrity of the work done so far and assured that COREN would maintain strict supervision until completion.
Other key dignitaries present during the inspection included the Commissioner for Power, the Commissioner for Local Government, and the Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market.
