Hendrix Oliomogbe
Like the legendary phoenix, which got burnt in the Arabian desert and was reborn from it ashes, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo is set to commission the rehabilitated and remodelled Oba Market, Benin City, almost six years after a midnight inferno totally razed down a section of it on June 22, 2020.
It was weeping and wailing by the pitiable traders who lost goods worth several millions of Naira on that fateful night in June of 2020.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kaseem Afegbua, who disclosed this while speaking with journalists Monday in Benin City lamented that nothing was done to repair the market when the incident happened despite several assurances and promises by then Governor Godwin Obaseki until Governor Okpebholo came on board.
Marked by blown off roof, creaking staircases, blocked drainage system, heaps of refuse, gaping holes with water dripping down every time it rains and shit smelling floor with over grown grasses, the popular Oba Market in downtown Benin City was literally a pain in the eyes.
Prince Afegbua assured that the good old days are just around the corner as rehabilitation work on the remodelled market will be completed in about three months time.
He added that the magnificent modern edifice, which was completed by former Governor John Odigie-Oyegun during his stint as governor in the '90s was on the verge of collapsing but for the timely response by the All Progressives Congress (APC) led administration of Governor Okpebholo, shortly after he took over the reins of government in 2024.
Sitting on a total retail floor area of approximately 20 acres, historical Oba Market dates back to the 15th century and has over 5,000 tenants. merchandising right under and on top of the massive structure.
Oblivious of the unsanitary condition of the environment and the risk to lives, should anything untoward happens, traders and buyers daily haggle over prices of commodities.
From fishmongers to goats, livestock, meat and basic foodstuffs sellers, business was before now carried on, on the waterlogged ground floor before the state government closed a section of it for repair work.
Shell shocked at the sordid sight, shoppers had to wade through the pool of water and hops their ways across the cracks on the decking to avoid being drenched in the water dripping from it.
The commissioner reiterated the determination of Governor Okpebholo to remodelling the market, named after the Oba of Benin, so that it can live up to its name, assuring displaced traders, who presently sell on Ekpenede, Abehe, Alaka and Oba Market Roads, that their shops will be given back to them once the particular section is completed.
Prince Afegbua said: "Work on Oba Market is 80% completed and should be commissioned in two months time or latest by the middle of the year. What we're re-constructing is an ultra modern market.
"Governor Okpebholo has to ensure that Oba Market live up to its name by totally rehabilitating and remodelling it. The governor has deep respect for the Benin monarch and won't accept anything less for a market named after the Oba of Benin. This is a royal market and must be so treated."
Similarly, he said that construction works for multi million Naira ulta modern markets in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area in Edo North Senatorial district and Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area in Edo Central are on in full swing.
Prince Afegbua justified the state government investment in market, which is the purview of local governments, noting that with the scope of the markets, it will take local governments a life time to be able to finish construction work on such gargantuan projects, adding:
"With the money accruing to local governments, there's no way they can build such massive projects. In fact, it will take thy kingdom come to finish the markets. Edo local governments should instead concentrate on building village markets and leave such gigantic structures to the state."
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