Members of the Orlu Market Amalgamated Traders Association (OMATA) at the Imo International Market, Umuna in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State have once again raised alarm on the non-completion of construction activities and provision of infrastructure at the complex even three years after the take of commercial activities.

Explaining the pains being passed through by his members at the new market in an exclusive interview with Daily Champion at his office, president of the trading group, Sir Paul Uloeme decried the quietness of the state government in allowing the contractor, RHAS Nigeria Limited to abandon the completion of the market since 2006 it was opened for business.

Conducting newsmen round the expansive complex located along old Owerri Road at the outskirts of the Orlu town, it was observed that nothing has been done at the area planned for the construction of warehouses meant to serve the market. Currently, there is no warehouse within the market.

Uloeme decried the situation, saying the absence of warehouse has been the greatest challenge of his members. "As you can see, there is warehouse in this market and the situation has discouraged the speed of the market consolidation.

"It is not easy to bring in large goods because there no facility to store them and this in particular reduces our target growth and expansion plan of the market.

The OMATA president explained further that the absence of the facility has discouraged the relocation of many traders who are still doing business at the old Orie-Ugwu market inside the main town.

Other amenities that are not provided by the contractor include fire fighting facilities, water supply, Motor Park and access roads to and fro the market.

He revealed that one of the major access roads leading to the Ihiala-Umuahia road has been taken over by massive gully erosion traced to perennial flooding around Umusasa Village near the market.

Uloeme who used the media tour of the market to send an SOS to the governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim also revealed that "even inside the market, a substantial number of shops have not been completed up till now by the contractor".

"There are many shops in this market that have not been completed up till now. Traders cannot explain why the contractor was allowed to leave the site without completing the job according to design and delivery specifications.

The visibly annoyed president of the traders association at the international market therefore called on Governor Ikedi Ohakim to use his good office to prevail on the contractor to return back to site and complete the over 65 percent of the job which have been abandoned for more than four years.

It would be recalled that former governor of Imo State and current Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief Achike Udenwa began construction of the market during his second term in office and commissioned it at a time it was not completed with the understanding that the contractor would continue and deliver the market according to specifications. But up till now, the Owerri-based contractor, RHAS Nigeria Limited is yet to return to site and complete the regional market.

While stressing that government remains a continuum, Uloeme noted that one of the best things the current state governor can do for Orlu people would be to champion the completion of the market so as to help the centre complement the economic and poverty alleviation dreams of this administration in the state.