“Abia government has abandoned us”: Ubani Market traders appeal to Otti

Thirteen years after their relocation from Isigate in central Umuahia to Ubani Ultra-modern Market, thousands of traders say patronage has dwindled and the market has deteriorated. They cite collapsing shops, poor internal roads and sanitation, a lack of electricity and water, and an annual levy of ₦36,000 per shop. Traders blame, in part, uneven enforcement of the relocation policy for allowing sellers to return to the city centre and drawing customers away. They are urging Governor Alex Otti to intervene, improve the infrastructure and provide the promised access road.