Ohanaeze Inspects N16bn International Market

The Lagos State chap
ter of the apex Igbo social-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo has visited the proposed site of the Heartland Gateway International Market located at Mgbidi in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
The visit, according to the group, was part of efforts initiated by the leadership of the organisation to encourage Ndigbo to invest at home and boost the economies of their respective states.
Addressing the members of the organisation numbering over 200 at the residence of the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Donatus Ozoemena, the CEO of Graceland Channels Limited, Pastor Nat Omoruyi, revealed that plans underway to acquire more parcels of land to complement the already 28,097 hectres already acquired for the market.
Omoruyi further said that the Mgbidi community had already expressed their readiness to donate more of their lands in order to accommodate the 50,000 shops planned for construction on the site, which, he added, would cost N16 billion.
He also revealed that the Federal Government had already awarded the contract for the dredging of the Oguta Lake which is very close to the market from Imo State axis to Rivers State axis of the lake.
Expressing gratitude to the people of the community for donating their lands for the project, Chairman Market Committee of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief Vitus Chukwudebem Uzoh, said the market, when completed, would afford Ndigbo the opportunity to invest in their respective states without fear of molestation.
Uzoh described Ndigbo as industrious people who contribute to the development of any area wherever they find themselves. He cited the Tejuosho and ASPAMDA markets in Lagos as examples.
He said: “Ndigbo are blessed in trade and business. We have contributed significantly in building all the major markets across the country and beyond. Now we are going to invest in own land, where we will not be harassed or intimidated by any other tribe.”

L-R: Enugu State Commissioner for Child’s Rights Brigade Command, Mrs Oluchi Promise, reprsentative of Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mr Zakari Ya’u, Chairperson, Child Protection Network, Mrs Margaret Nwagbo and CRIB National Head of Operations, Mr Archibong Anderson at the inauguration of CRIB Enugu State Command recently. Photo: NAN.