Eket, Akwa Ibom’s Oil City Gets 5000 Shops Capacity Market

Eket, the thriving hub of oil and gas business in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria, will be boasting of a 5000-shop capacity international market this coming December. An official of the Akwa Ibom State Government in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, told this reporter on Tuesday that the contractors handling the Nka International Market project in Eket Local Government Area of the state, Yiwu International Trade City of Nigeria, have said that the urban market will be ready for commissioning in December. Managing Director of the construction company, Mr Miao Jingbao had said in Uyo, the state capital, that about 124 containers of construction materials needed for the project were on ground for the completion of the $50 million project. According to him, the three-storey twin building will accommodate 5000 shops with international features including elevators, escalators, and other facilities which are best in Africa. He said that the project will provide employment opportunities for over 10,000 youths and women in the area, as well as improve the living standard of the people of the host community. Paramount Ruler of Eket, Attah Ekid 1, Obong E.C.D Abia, said that the project, which is one of its kind in West Africa, will attract a lot of businesses to boost the economy of the community. ‘’The project will bring enormous benefits to not just the host community but to Nigeria as a whole and the state in particular because it is open to the entire country. The host community realises the importance of this project and are committed to protecting them’’, he said. Reelection seeking Governor Udom Emmanuel, has been commending the contractors for the speedy job on site, and full of praises for the host community for cooperating with the workers. According to Governor Udom, ‘’it is a clear sign of collaboration both locally and internationally. We are working with the Chinese investors. What we are putting up in Eket is not the usual market stores but purely a business and logistic centre.” He is also calling on multinationals and all the distributive chains to find Eket their next home because of the numerous access roads, which according to him, are exceptionally beautiful, and pledged to do everything humanly possible to connect other parts of the country. Adding, the governor said, ‘’it is an international market. It is not limited to those who are buying and selling. Any kind of business can operate there. Even if you are a lawyer and wants to operate within that area, you have a good office to operate with. That is why it is a business and logistic centre with emphasis on commerce. This is also a sign that we came here to work and not to be distracted.’’ During his electioneering campaign in 2015, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor promised to build an international market and attract foreign investment to the state, and create enabling environment for businesses to thrive. The ground breaking ceremony for the market was done in June this year. At that time, the governor promised to commission the first phase within six months. In the mean time, an oil refinery is currently under construction in the outskirts of Eket along the Oron road. The city has a stadium complex, an airstrip as well as other infrastructures of importance. Due to its industrial nature, Eket is a relatively expensive city. The government has plans of upgrading the city by the provision of further major roads in the city and the construction of housing estates.