Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo has unveiled a new market in Awka, the state capital code named “Solution Arena” and provided fifty free shops to the residents of the town in order to curb the menace of street trading.
The initiative, according to the governor, is geared towards providing a permanent solution to those who were affected by the enforcement of a ban on trading, hawking, and unauthorized displays of merchandise in walkways, streets, and highways in the state’s capital city.
The new market is situated at Club Street Junction, Awka, offering displaced women the opportunity to operate from free stalls.
The governor, during the commissioning ceremony, emphasized that these shops represent a model solution to the problem of street trading.
He noted that it’s a prototype that will be replicated across various parts of the state.
The street trading centre features designated spots for fruits and vegetables, grills, and other sundries.
The market spaces which were given free of charge to the poorest members of the community are equipped with solar lighting, modern toilet facilities, and areas where fruits can be washed with flowing water.
The new market also aligned with Governor Soludo’s administration’s broader strategy to promote compliance and ensure a cleaner, safer, and the healthier environment across the 21 Local Government Areas in the state.
