● Ferdy Agu
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has signed an Executive Order mandating the relocation of the Coal Camp Spare Parts Market and other related industrial and commercial activities to the newly designated International Spare Parts and Allied Trades Park.
The new market, situated along the Enugu-Onitsha Road, spans Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas.
The Executive Order, titled Designation and Establishment of the Enugu International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Traders Park, Nsude, Udi LGA, and Ogwofia Owa in Ezeagu LGA and the Relocation of the Coal Camp Neighborhood and Other Neighborhoods in the Enugu Capital Territory to the New Enugu International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Trades Park Site, is aimed at addressing challenges posed by the existing market.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, which was attended by Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, and leaders of the spare parts dealers, Governor Mbah emphasized that the new market was designed to international standards.
“This new market is actually a purpose-built vehicle because it is designed for market in the true sense of the word and with all the supporting facilities. We have taken into account all the safety codes that are required to have an international market.
“As you may already be aware, the construction is ongoing. We are aggressively opening up the roads and also the building itself. That construction has commenced.
“Our hope is that in the next few months, we are going to see the movement of you all from the current location to an international market where we have provided all the services. There is going to be a clinic and fire service there. There is going to be a truck park.
“All the errors, all the challenges and the problems we have in the existing market will all be addressed in the new market.
“We have also made sure that you do not live very far from your market. We have residences around the market. It is an ideal neighborhood concept where you can live comfortably within your neighborhood and still do your trading and businesses comfortably without traveling far to get things done,” the governor said.
Chief Michael Nomeh, President of the Enugu Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, expressed gratitude for the governor’s commitment to fulfilling his campaign promise.
“We are so excited about the relocation of the Enugu motor spare parts dealers to the permanent site, which is of international standard.
“We thank the governor for the campaign promise that he has fulfilled. Since the inception of democracy in 1999 to date, there have been so many promises to our people that they will relocate us to the international market. But none of them has kept to their promises. That is why we appreciate the governor for keeping the campaign promises less than two years in office. He is a governor who does exactly what he says he would do,” Nomeh stated.
The Managing Director of the Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, highlighted the economic benefits of the move, stating that the new site offers traders an opportunity to own their shops rather than renting.
“This move is a strategic one aimed at boosting our state economy in our drive to a $30bn GDP economy.
“If you know the location of the new place, it is so strategic. You cannot go from the Middle Belt or South South or Cross River or even from Cameroon to Onitsha without passing through there.
“The government is not building to make profit, but for the traders to move to a well-organised and safe environment for trading and living.
“The place is designed to have the commercial sections with shops of different categories, warehouses, workshops, ample parking spaces, water, power, and other utilities facilities. There are also residential areas, smart schools, a primary healthcare center, a fire service station, a police station, a recreational park, and a football pitch. It is a modern place that everybody will be proud to live in. It is built for modern spare part and allied trade professionals,” he added.
A resident of 9th Mile, Mr. Nwabueze Okeke, welcomed the development but called for fair allocation of spaces to traders.
“This is a great move for Enugu’s economy, but I hope the relocation process is handled fairly so that all traders, including small business owners, get a place,” Okeke said.
Meanwhile, economic analyst Dr. Ifeoma Nwankwo described the initiative as a game-changer for trade in the region.
“The location is key. It will not only serve Enugu traders but also attract businesses from neighboring states and even Cameroon. If implemented well, it will significantly boost commerce in the Southeast,” she said. GMTNewsng
