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Abia State Government has handed over tax waiver documents to 106 traders who were displaced by the ongoing remodeling of the A- Line, C- Line and Medical Lines at the Ariaria International Market.
Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, who disclosed this in Aba, stated that the traders were exempted from paying tax for two years, and assured that no trader would lose his shop after the remodelling of the market.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the final rehabilitation of Faulks road which is the major access road to the market will soon begin while the pumping of water from the Ifeobara pond to the Aba River will commence on Thursday.
He charged the traders to monitor the ongoing projects in the market and report any suspicious activity to the government to ensure that the contractor delivers quality projects.
His words; “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu is committed to delivering a remodeled Ariaria International Market. The Governor has fulfilled his promises. We are on course to change the face of Ariaria market. Gov.Ikpeazu has granted a two year tax waiver to the displaced traders. From next week, final rehabilitation work will start on Faulks road which is the main access road to Ariaria market. The reconstruction of A –Line road will soon commence. The contractor has started the roofing of the 3 storey buildings housing the shops. As soon as it is done, the traders will return to their shops. Arrangements have been concluded to procure tricycles to boost sanitation in the market. In the next three days, Abia state government will start pumping water out of Ifeobara pond to the Aba River. Governor is determined to create a conducive environment for traders at Ariaria International Market.”
Chairman of the Ariaria International Market, Elder Emeka Igara, expressed joy that the Governor has fulfilled his promise of granting tax waivers to displaced traders, channeling flood water out of the market, the commencement of the roofing of the three remodeled storey buildings at the A-Line section of the market as well as the rehabilitation of the A-Line roads at the market.
Igara explained that Ikpeazu had pledged to channel water out of the market as soon as the rains subside, stressing that the fulfillment of the promise is a big relief to the traders.
He promised that the leadership of the market will ensure the regular monitoring of the drainage channels in the market to ensure that traders no longer use waste to block the channels.
He said; “Governor Ikpeazu promised that flood water will be channeled out of Ariaria market as soon as the rains subside. Today, the flood water is out of Ariaria market. This is a big relief to the traders. The Governor also promised to commence rehabilitation of roads and work has started. Governor Ikpeazu has proved to be a man of his words. We are satisfied with the quality of work done. The remodeled shops are being delivered. Soon, the displaced traders at A-Line will return to their shops. We trust the Governor to do more for Ariaria traders.”
Speaking on behalf of the displaced traders, Pius Njoku and Nwokoro Nnamdi , also thanked the Governor for granting two year tax waivers to the traders and the roofing of the new storey buildings and the expected handing over of the remodeled shops to the traders.