Posted by By Elyger Agwu on
The Port Harcourt Ultra Modern Market at New Layout may turn into another scene of disaster if utmost care is not taken.
The Port Harcourt Ultra Modern Market at New Layout may turn into another scene of disaster if utmost care is not taken.
Already, the beams which support a section of the market are giving way while water leaks profusely when it rains.
What is worrisome is that the cement plastering which hides the rods on which the structure is cast has began falling apart.
The market was commissioned in 1977 by the Zamani Lekwot administration which succeeded the Alfred Diete-Spiff government that actually built it.
But it was not until 1978 that traders moved into the market.
In 1986, there were two fire outbreaks in the area known as the "domestic zone".
Although revenue is collected from traders who use the market, there has been no attempt since the fire outbreaks to carry out any kind of renovation.
Our investigations show that the domestic zone as it is called hosts at least 3000 persons every market day.
Most traders in the market who spoke to us expressed concern over the dilapidated nature of the market.
A woman leader in the market, Mrs Gloria Apakawori said she and her colleagues were still trading under the wreck because there is no other place meant for them to earn a responsible living.
She explained that colleagues were still trading under the wreck because there is no other place meant for them to earn a responsible living.
She explained that the market union has been lodging complaints about the terrible state of the market right from the period of the Dauda Musa Komo and Ernest Adeleye administrations.
The woman leader reiterated that they have also sent countless delegations to different administrations in the state.
As she put it, the administrations have always promised to remedy the situation but have always reneged.
Traders who spoke to the Telegraph explained that at a point a contractor came, cleared a site for the reconstruction of the market and later abandoned the project.
They equally pointed out that the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council was more concerned about collecting rates than solve the problem.