By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Saturday, opened a neighbourhood market of 50 shops called Solution Arena fruits and vegetables and solution grills and sundries.
Solution Arena, situated at Abakaliki street junction (club zone), Okpuno in Awka South Local Government Area, is equipped with many facilities, including electricals, lockup shops, open stalls, convenience, water supply, power supply and enough parking lots.
The governor, who praised Hon. Osita Ọnuko, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), for setting up the facility, noted that more would be constructed across the State to decongest streets of hawkers.
According to him, Solution Arena would serve as modal, a prototype, concept and an idea of his renewed efforts to solve the problems of street trading, while building a liveable and prosperous city.
"It will be replicated at several parts of the State to solve the problems of streets trading so that our women and others who toil everyday trading or hawking will be brought together to a safer and serene atmosphere. This place shall be free for all traders who wish to occupy any of the shops. No need of standing on the highways or to block roads or trade under a dirty environment," he added.
He explained that his government was set to establish a similar project at Awka, Nnewi, Onitsha, Ekwulọbịa, among other urban and semi-urban areas in Anambra State in order to accommodate hundreds of Anambra petty traders and hawkers.
Earlier speaking, the MD/CEO of ACTDA, Hon. Osita Ọnuko, said the project was a clear testament of APGA philosophy of onyeaghana nwanne ya "leave no one behind,", adding that Soludo's administration was determined to turn Awka into a befitting State capital.
Ọnuko further charged the management committee setup to manage the facility to be committed, shun corruptions and thinker solutions for it effective management.