…Community decries bad roads
BENIN CITY – with collaborative efforts of the people of Ugboko-Numagbae Community of Orhionmwon Local Government Council to resuscitate the economic activities of their community, the Ugboko-Numagbae Market was on Wednesday launched after being renovated to modern standard.
First built in the 1970s, the market became dysfunctional after several years untill the Sons and Daughters of Ugboko-Numagbae Worldwide embarked on rehabilitation exercise of the market sometimes last year to restore the economic hub of their land.
According to the president of the community association, Mrs. Josephine Akpetie “this project was jointly supported by every well meaning sons and daughters of Ugboko-Numagbae home and abroad with the mindset of making our dear land a small London”.
The people of the community expressed optimism that the return of the market will mark the biginning of greater things to come as Mrs. Josephine Aketie on behalf of the leadership of Sons and Daughters of Ugboko-Numagbae Worldwide, “call on all hands to be on deck to make Ugboko-Numagbae actualize her dream of development”.
Excited about the return of the market, the Onogie of Ugboko-Numagbae Community, HRH, Duke Solomon Ogiamade (JP) applauded the efforts of his community while calling on government at both federal and state to complete the road projects linking the community.
“People are complaining about the high cost of food all over Nigeria especially in the urban cities where as my community that is known for high food production such as garri, plantain, yam, palm oil, bush meats etc find it difficult to sell because of bad roads. I am calling on federal and state government to look into this road challenge so that my people can sell what they produce”. Said Chief Ogiomade.
The H.O.S, Orhionmwon Local Government Council, Dr. Odigie Francis commended the community for their unity of purpose and urged them not to rest on their laurels. He also assured them of the council’s supports to see that the purpose of the market is achieved.
Dr. Odigie however, charged the community on maintenance culture. “It is one thing to build and another to maintain it. This beautiful shops and toilets that have been built and renovated by the joint efforts of the community should also be given adequate maintenance”. He remarked.
The market which cost the community about five million naira to renovate comes up every eight days.
The General Secretary, Sons and Daughters of Ugboko-Numagbae Worldwide, Mr. Osegbe Roger said he “hope that traders and consumers will troop in every market day to buy food items which our fertile land produces at good prices”.
