The governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Prince Ugo Beke, has promised to build the largest International Market in Africa at Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers state.
Beke who made the pledge while speaking to a crowd of traders at Timber and Steel markets in Oyigbo, on Wednesday, said the building of the market will be factored on Igbo traders who he said has acquired excellence in the business of trading.
He said siting of the market at Oyigbo was in consideration of its proximity to Aba, Akwa Ibom and other neighbouring states.
Speaking further, the APGA gubernatorial candidate noted with dismay that the timber and steel markets are neglected in road construction and rehabilitation .
He said this ought not to be so if the markets are to be opened for development.
He promised to embark on a comprehensive rehabilitation of bad roads in the markets as well as put in place drainages and other important amenities, if elected.
Prince Beke assured them that the state under his watch will reconcile the IPOB- Igbo saga that led to the killing and imprisonment of many, stating that he would make sure cooperation, harmony and understanding exist between Igbo and Rivers people at all times.
He appealed to the the traders to vote massively for him and other candidates of APGA at the March 18 Governorship and House of Assembly elections, pointing out that they stand to benefit more under APGA-led government than any other administration in the state.
” I am going to build the largest international market you can find in Africa at Oyigbo. The market will have more than 100,000 stalls with state-of-art facilities. That will be our first programme in Oyigbo. Oyigbo people will rejoice, Rivers people will rejoice because the Bible says when the righteous rules the people rejoice. I will take Rivers people out of poverty”, he stated.
Earlier on, Prince Beke who was accompanied by his wife, Carol Beke, High Chief Sunnie Chukumele, the Coordinating Chairman of Ugo Beke Campaign Council, Chief Friday Owhonda,APGA party faithful and supporters, visited the palaces of Eze Mchael Nwaji, Eze Oha Oyigbo and Eze (sir ) Sunday Ojijiagwu , Onye Nwe Ala, Oyigbo – Asa clan and paramount ruler of Umusia community , where he received their royal blessings.
