By ALEX ENEBELI

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Saturday, laid the foundation stone for the construction of a 5,000 shop-capacity Nsukka International Market.

Speaking at the event, Mbah promised that his administration would always take into account persons affected by development projects in the state.

He dismissed the allegation of targeting to compensate the former occupants of Ogige Market, Nsukka, where he built Nsukka Transport Terminal.

He said that his Inclusive development model made it imperative for him to ensure that the modern transport terminal projects cut across the state.

The governor cited Ogbete, Holy Ghost, Abakpa Nike, and Garki as other places, where government had to relocate shop owners to be able to construct the transport terminals.

“This is beyond groundbreaking for me because this is something that has provoked emotions and sometimes even attempts to mislead and frame a false narrative.

“Sometimes, it is not about misunderstanding government’s intentions, but a sheer evil agenda of enemies of public good.

“This is just to put on record that our intention to construct the Nsukka Modern Transport Terminal is in the overriding public interest,” he said.

According to him, many months ago, his administration took a decision to revamp the transportation sector by building a world-class modern bus terminal.

“And there were people, who were located in these different areas that were originally mapped out as transport terminals.

“We cannot be talking about development and only be thinking about a section of our state, which was why we could not have been constructing world-class terminals in the state without constructing one in Nsukka.

“It is a one-stop shop for everything,” Mbah said.

He also said that his target was to have the market completed by the end of 2025 and assured traders at the former Ogige Market that they would be given priority during the allocation of shops.

In a speech, the Chairman, Nsukka Local Government Area, Mr Jude Asogwa, said the market and other numerous development projects by the governor would translate to huge succour and economic growth and empowerment for the people of Nsukka, in particular, and Enugu North Zone, in general.

He said: “We have been joyful over the world-class transport terminal that you built for us, while we were still celebrating it, we are here today to lay the foundation for the Nsukka International Market.

“We do not know how to describe you and your good work. It is inexplicable, to say the least.

“I have told the people of Nsukka, whose shops were affected, to come and have their names registered with us,” Asogwa said. (NAN)