Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State have commissioned the Owerri Central Market Complex, describing it as a blessing to Imo State and Nigeria.
Obasanjo, who arrived in the state to grace the occasion, expressed confidence in the project’s potential to attract investors and create jobs, wealth, and development.
The former president made the remarks on Friday during the groundbreaking ceremony of the market project at Umuohiadagu Umualum in the Nekede area of Owerri.
He said: “The Owerri Central Market Complex has been planned to attract businessmen and women from across the country and beyond.
“It will create jobs, wealth, harmony, unity, and development for Imo State and Nigeria at large.”
Obasanjo commended the governor for his efforts to develop Imo State and expressed confidence in the project’s potential to recoup investments through profit. “The money invested will be recouped through profit from the investment,” he said.
He described Owerri as the Eastern Heartland and recalled how Nigerian troops, under his command during the Nigeria/ Biafra war, needed to conquer Owerri, to conclusively bring the civil war which he said was necessary to unite the country, to an end.
Speaking, the Governor appreciated Obasanjo’s support for Imo State and promised to provide an enabling environment for the project’s success.
“We will encourage you to climb. Don’t be afraid, we will support you,” he told the project’s promoter, Nze Ozichukwu Chukwu.
“This market will be a source of blessing to Imo State and Nigeria at large when completed,” Governor Uzodimma said at the ground-breaking ceremony.
The Governor regretted that the construction of the Owerri Central Market Complex was stalled for a very long time as a result of many challenges, including illegal balkanization of the land.
He said in the wisdom of the government, a Commission of enquiry was set up which led to the recovery of the land, noting that going forward, the government will play its role not to betray the confidence of those who have elected to invest in the project.
In their separate but similar remarks, Nze Chukwu, the promoter of the project and the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Investment, Barr. Rex Anunobi thanked Governor Uzodimma for his untiring effort to see Imo State experience development in all areas and expressed confidence that the Owerri Central Market Complex would change the business and commercial outlook of Imo State when completed.
Other dignitaries at the occasion, including the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru; Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Chike Olemgbe; Senators Ezenwa Onyewuchi; and Patrick Ndubueze, expressed support for the project and appreciation for Governor Uzodimma’s development efforts.