Anambra state Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Friday, frowned at street trading and hawking, which according to him, obstructs free flow of traffic among other untold hardships.
Soludo, who disclosed this while commissioning Solutions Arena Fruits and Vegetables market sited at Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area (LGA), argued that some petty traders have also lost their lives or got inured while trading on roads and streets.
According to him, this was why his administration through Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA) constructed 65 shop space market at Agulu, including those sited at Awka and Okpuno in Awka South LGA, for traders to use for free.
He urged communities, wealthy individuals, institutions and private sectors to support government efforts to stop street trading by building modern markets to relocate women and others trading on streets for safety and health living of both sellers and buyers.
The governor further maintained that the master plan for Agulu and other parts of Anambra state was huge, adding that his administration has mapped out all Trunk-A road in the state for dualisation and when completed, they would bring developments that will extend to the next generation.
Speaking in an interview, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, ACTDA, Hon. Osita Onuko, explained that the Solution Solutions Arena Fruits and Vegetables market Agulu built for petty traders, has solar powered lights, water supply, convenience, among other facilities for the use of sellers and customers.
Some of the traders – Mrs Nneka Okoye and Mrs Margaret Ezedigbo, commended the governor for the initiative, assuring that they would relocate from Nwagu where they traded under the son and rain to the new market for overall good of all.
