● Tonye Okurumo
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured residents of Port Harcourt Township that the Creek Road Market will be reconstructed into an ultra-modern facility to create a conducive trading environment and enhance the city’s aesthetics. This promise underscores his administration’s commitment to its Urban Renewal Policy.
The Governor made the announcement during an inspection visit to the market on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, accompanied by the Commissioner for Housing, the Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, the Chairman of the Committee for the Re-urbanization of Port Harcourt Township, and the Secretary to the State Government.
Speaking at the site, Governor Fubara said: “You are aware that some weeks ago, a committee was inaugurated for the redevelopment of Port Harcourt Township. Since then, I have been getting a lot of calls from the old boys of Port Harcourt Township that, if we have to do anything, first of all, we need to sort out the issue of market.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara (middle); acknowledging cheers from traders and residents while Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo (2nd left); and Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon Evans Bipi (2nd right); watch during the inspection of makeshift structures at Creek Road market in Port Harcourt Township on Tuesday.
He lamented that while the Creek Road was reconstructed by the previous administration, no steps were taken to relocate the traders back to their original trading site or rebuild the market.
“We are aware of that when Creek Road was reconstructed, the market was relocated to No 3 Field, and it affected the face of the town. So, I came here myself to see for ourselves what we can do immediately. I can say here that the first thing we are going to do immediately before we start the cleaning and the redesigning of Port Harcourt Township is to make sure that we give them (traders) a befitting market. With that, we can immediately move those people out of those residential areas so we can commence beautifying the town,” he explained.
The Governor reiterated his administration’s resolve to restore Port Harcourt to its Garden City status, emphasizing the need for designated trading spaces to create a sustainable and equitable urban environment. “Transforming Port Harcourt into a liveable city requires proper planning, and this starts with relocating trading activities to appropriate locations,” he added.
Reacting to the Governor’s announcement, the President of the Creek Road Traders Association, Mrs. Charity Amadi, expressed gratitude for the planned market reconstruction. “We have suffered for too long in these makeshift stalls. This project will change our lives and improve trading conditions,” she said.
Similarly, an urban planning expert and lecturer at Rivers State University, Dr. Emmanuel Kalagbor, commended Governor Fubara’s initiative, stating: “This step will not only boost economic activities but also address the environmental challenges that come with unregulated trading. It’s a forward-thinking decision.”
Governor Fubara concluded by reaffirming his administration’s commitment to continuity and development, promising that no Rivers resident would be left behind in the journey to rebuild and transform Port Harcourt.
