Delta: Traders protest delay in market project

From Osakhare Erese Asaba

Thousands of traders at the popular Ozoro Market in Ozoro, Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State on Monday protested the delay in completion of their market project awarded by the state government over a year ago.
Although the protest was peaceful, but the worried traders inside the rains took to various streets in Ozoro to appeal to the state government to intervene before it gets out of hand.
The protesters stressing the need for action expedite on the market project, however said that when completed, would provide enabling environment for them to position their various market ventures.
Mrs. Edith Oghenekaro, leader of the protesters who spoke to our reporter said: “we are protesting as the need became imperative due to the rainy season that has already set in, and bordering on the marketers’ wares when selling under the rains, and running helter-skelter to save some perishable goods whenever it rains.”
A visit by our correspondent last Tuesday to the market in Ozoro, observed that fencing on the market was on-going with some trips of sand deposited with clear indication of readiness of the takeoff project work.
It was gathered that contractor handling the market project (CC & C Constructing Firm) allegedly claimed had not been sufficiently mobilized hence the slow pace in the ongoing project. But the President General, Ozoro Progress Union (OPU), Mr. Nicholas Areh who spoke to our reporter said: “the contractor liar, I think he is just delaying the project unnecessarily, the traders are suffering, Okowa is a trusted Governor, he had mobilized him sufficiently, he is joking with the project that all”.
It would be recalled that the Delta State Government awarded the contract for the construction of Ozoro market in Isoko North Local Government area of the state, and two others in Oghara and Burutu over a year age and fully mobilized the contractors.
Though the cost of the project had not been made known, but insider said it was allegedly awarded in the cost of N460 million. In a swift reaction, officials of the contracting firm who spoke to our reporter on condition of anonymity said: “the state is yet to give us sufficient funds, we are working, it is just that the Project is at a slow pace soon it will be completed for use.”