The Obio/Akpor International Market Verification Committee has begun its phase one inspection exercise, as part of efforts by the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council to reorganize the market and return it to its original structural and operational standards.
The inspection, led by Hon. Henry Odum (Committee Chairman), followed a directive from the Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Gift Worlu, who mandated the committee to assess the current state of the market and ensure proper management, accountability, and compliance with local government laws.
Welcoming the committee, the Union Chairman of the Obio/Akpor Traders’ Association, Mr. Chinwa Patrick Oburu, applauded the council chairman for his initiative and concern for the welfare of traders. He recalled that following a tragic incident that led to the loss of life within the market, operations were temporarily suspended and later reopened under new guidelines.
Mr. Oburu explained that the reopening came with agreements between the traders’ union and security agencies, which included the removal of illegal structures, dump sites, and shanties, as well as regulated market hours (6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) and enhanced security measures to maintain law and order.
Speaking after the inspection, Hon. Henry Odum, Chairman of the Verification Committee, assured that the team would implement all resolutions necessary to restore the market to its intended purpose.
> “We have inspected as directed and will forward our findings to the Executive Chairman, Hon. Dr Gift Worlu,” Odum said. “We discovered several illegal structures, dump sites, and deviations from the original plan of the market. The committee will take appropriate action to address these challenges.”
He added that the committee would embark on thorough verification to identify legitimate shop owners and ensure that allocations were properly documented. Odum also noted that some individuals had turned market spaces into residential areas, describing the practice as unsafe and inconsistent with the purpose of the market.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Oburu expressed hope that the committee’s intervention would pave the way for a more organized and transparent market system.
> “We are confident that this inspection will help restore order, ensure proper allocation, and improve the overall management of the market,” he said. “We thank the Executive Chairman and the verification committee for their commitment to restoring the market to standard.”
The phase one inspection exercise marks a major step in the Hon. Dr Gift Worlu-led administration’s agenda to enhance public infrastructure, promote organized trading, and ensure that public facilities in Obio/Akpor operate according to their original design and purpose.
Signed:
Obio/Akpor press unit
November 11, 2025.
