Reconstruction of Upper Iweka erosion site: Anambra traders happy with Governor Soludo, pledges support for his second term

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Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu

By Alphonsus Nweze, Onitsha

Traders of Ogbaru Main Market in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State have expressed gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, for responding to their Save Our Soul Message (SOS) over failed portion of the drainage system which had claimed lives and shops worth over several millions of naira.

The Upper Iweka portion of the market, facing the Pedestrian bridge had collapsed causing flood to carry traders’ shops since the beginning of this year’s rainy season.
The President of the market, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, with his executives had made frantic efforts, committing millions of naira to address the problem but erosion was beyond them.

He made clarion call to the Governor, asking him to save the lives, shops and wares of the traders near the failed portion from being washed away by flood.

Last week reconstruction and reclamation of the gully erosion portion of the Sakamori was started by a contracting firm, Strazbourg Nig. Ltd, awarded by the Anambra State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Awka.

The contract is for the reclamation and control of flood and Gully Erosion Within the Upper Iweka along Onitsha -Owerri Road.

Speaking on behalf of the traders operating their businesses around the area, Mr Chukwuemeka Nkemakolam, was full of praises for Governor Soludo for having listening ears to their cries.

He said they have been staying there with palpable fears because they were in danger anytime there was rainfall.
Nkemakolam also said if the control work is not done this year, the entire area would be swept off by next rainy season.

He also thanked the President of the market, Ochiogu for his commitment both financially and otherwise to see that the situation was addressed.

Nkemakolam assured that for them at the Relief Market, there is no vacancy in Government House Awka till Soludo finishes his eight-year tenure.

Chief Ochiogu equally agreed with what the traders said stressing that he had always believed in Soludo’s capacity to offer Anambra State good governance.

He said said if not for a Governor like Soludo who would have come to their rescue, lamenting that they had lost over 100 shops to flooding in the market amounting to millions of naira, inspite of several millions of naira he had committed to reclaim the sakamori.

Ochiogu said now that Soludo had come to their rescue, it is their turn to respond by paying the necessary development levy and stallage fees as well as support him during the coming election.

“Our happiness is that when we call the Governor he answers us. So if he does things for us, we should respond positively,” Ochiogu said.