IN January 2025, Delta State Governor, Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, unveiled his administration’s agenda to commence the construction of the Asaba International Market (AIM), as part of a bigger plan to enrich the state with more infrastructural projects. The location of the proposed market, which lies by the Asaba-Onitsha Expressway, is a vast piece of land measuring 35 hectares, part of which once accommodated the defunct Abraka Market.
The landscape of the location is rapidly changing, evidence of its transformation to a massive economic entity. True to the Governor’s pledge, physical market structures like lock-up shops, open stalls, warehouses and banking designs have emerged and rising by the day to meet the 36-month timeline for the completion of the market.
In fact, the market structure has provision for 8,000 lock-up shops, 1,000 open shops, warehouses, banks, an abattoir, toilets and sewage system, and an administrative building. Other features include a fire service office, a police and security posts, medical clinics, incinerator, and a crèche for infants. It would also feature a network of wide passages to ease movement of goods and services. Wide access passages are also designed to enhance vehicular movements in case of emergencies.
The government is in partnership with an indigenous firm, Efab Properties Limited, to execute the mega project under a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
Frankly, we commend the Oborevwori administration for initiating the enchanting project. It is a crisp indication of the government’s determination to further enhance the socioeconomic status of Asaba, the state capital, which is fast developing into a megalopolis and a recognizable commercial hub. The international market holds the potential of accommodating business interests from different parts of the country, covering a wide array of trading.
The government’s agenda of developing markets in Asaba, and the state in general, as assets for both public and private interests dates back to the James Ibori administration, the first democratic leadership in the state under the current political dispensation. It was during his leadership that the modern Ogbeogonogo Market was built. He first initiated moves to build an international market for Asaba near the Niger Bridge but the ever flooded geophysical terrain, among other variables, weakened that resolve. The Ifeanyi Okowa administration later expanded the market’s physical structure, doubling its size.
Also, the state has ensured that the business of buying and selling receives necessary attention as can be observed with the existence of some viable markets, including the Igbudu market, Warri, the Ogheye Ultra-modern Floating Market in Warri North LGA, the Ughelli North Modern Market, and the Udu Harbour Market.
Beyond providing government with additional revenue when completed and functional, the Asaba International Market, sandwiched between the Asabo-Onitsha expressway and the huge River Niger, would provide investment opportunities for business. It is even reported that traders and merchants are already showing interest in the market especially from the Eastern flanks of the country.
No doubt, it would also create employment opportunities for indigenes and non-indigenes of the state alike. While the traders and merchants would require the services of sales and accounts personnel, organisations offering ancillary services like security, banking, sewage disposal, for instance, would also need to hire relevant workers. The facility would further enhance the growing socioeconomic fortune of the capital city.
As the project is still ongoing, we implore the contractors to ensure that they adhere strictly to the contractual terms, delivering the project as expected. Modern facilities befitting of a market of international status should all be provided and made functional.
On completion, the managers of the market should ensure that the passages and exit routes are not converted to semi-open and open stalls as in the old Ogbeogonogo Market. Council officials now managing the market are alleged to be behind the defacement of the erstwhile passages and exits. In the event of a fire outbreak in the market, it would almost be impossible for fire trucks to get into the market.
In addition, the issue of touts and trade canvassers that have demeaned similar establishments is a thing of concern.
The nuisance associated with traditional markets should be avoided in the Asaba International Market as the public looks forward to its completion.
