Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has signed an Executive Order relocating the Coal Camp Spare Parts Market and other spare parts and allied markets in residential neighbourhoods in Enugu.
The Executive Order also established a new spare parts market at Udi and Ezeagu Local Government Areas along the Enugu-Onitsha Road of the state.
The Executive Order is entitled the Designation and Establishment of the Enugu International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Traders Park, Inside, Udi LGA and Ogwofia Owa in Ezeagu LGA and the Relocation of the Coal Camp Neighborhood and other Neighbourhoods in the Enugu Capital Territory to the New Enugu International Motor Spare Parts and Allied Trades Park Site.
Speaking at the the brief signing ceremony witnessed by leaders of Enugu spare parts dealers at the Government House, Enugu, on Friday, Mbah assured that the errors and challenges presented by the Coal Camp Spare Parts Market would be effectively addressed in the new one.
"This new market is actually a purpose built vehicle because it is designed for market in the true sense of the word with all the supporting facilities. We have taken into account all the safety codes that are required to have an international market.
"As you may already be aware, the construction is ongoing. We are aggressively opening up the roads and also the building itself. That construction has commenced.
"Our hope is that in the next few months, we are going to see the movement of you all from the current location to an international market where we have provided all the services. There is going to be a clinic there; there will also be a fire service. There is going to be a truck park.
"All the errors, all the challenges and the problems we have in the existing market will all be addressed In the new market.
"We have also made sure that you do not live very far from your market. We have residences around the market. It is an ideal neighbourhood concept where you can live comfortably within your neighbourhood and still do your trading and businesses comfortably without travelling far to get things done," the governor said.
In his remarks, the President of Enugu Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Chief Michael Nomeh, hailed the governor for keeping to his campaign promise after decades of disappointments faced by the traders.
"We are so excited about the relocation of the Enugu motor spare part dealers to the permanent site, which is at international standard.
"We thank the governor for the campaign promise that he has fulfilled. Since the inception of democracy in 1999 to date, there have been so many promises to our people that they will relocate us to the international market. But none of them has kept to their promises. That is why we appreciate the governor for keeping the campaign promises in just less than two years in office," Chief Nomeh stated.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Enugu State Investment Development Authority, Dr. Sam Ogbu Nwobodo, described both the move and the location of the new site as strategic, noting also that the traders would be able to own shops unlike at the present Coal Camp site where they rented shops.
"If you know the location of the new place, it is so strategic. You cannot go from the Middle Belt or South South or Cross River or even from Cameroon to Onitsha without passing through there.
"This move is a strategic move to boost our economy in our drive to a $30bn economy.
"The government is not building to make profit, but for the traders to move in there to trade in a well-organised environment and for traders to also live.
"The place is designed to have residential areas. There are also going to be smart schools, the primary healthcare centres, the recreational park, and a football pitch. It is a modern place that everybody will be proud to live in. It is built for the modern spare part dealers," he explained.
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