The Chairman of Ekeoha-Aba Shopping Centre Traders Association, Emeka Okeke, has strongly refuted allegations that doors from demolished shops within the market were illegally sold during the ongoing remodeling project.
The denial comes in response to claims by some aggrieved traders that iron doors from their shops in the demolished section of Ekeoha-Aba market were removed or sold without their consent.
Okeke clarified that all doors removed under his supervision were handled properly according to government directives. "Every removable fitting, particularly the shop doors, was meticulously documented and returned to their rightful owners or their authorized representatives," he stated.
According to the chairman, any unaccounted doors were likely taken by shop owners or tenants themselves before the official demolition task force arrived. He emphasized that a dedicated team was responsible for collecting, documenting, and returning all fittings, ensuring none were misplaced or illegally sold.
Okeke also recalled that when these allegations first surfaced during a general town hall meeting, the market's Chief Security Officer, who was implicated in the alleged illegal sales, challenged accusers to present evidence of his involvement.
Meanwhile, Nwaka Inem, Special Adviser to Abia State Governor on trade, commerce and industry, recently visited Ekeoha market traders to assure them that the Abia State government had not issued any orders for fresh demolitions in the market.
The remodeling of Ekeoha-Aba Shopping Centre continues to be a significant development project in Aba's commercial district, with authorities working to address concerns from affected traders.
Follow BenriNews on social media for more updates:
