- The demolition of Eke Ukwu Owerre market in 2017 had attracted widespread condemnation
In line with it’s promise to rebuild the Eke Ukwu Owere market, the Imo State government, Monday began the demolition of Somtochukwu Hospital, an uncompleted edifice, built on the exact location of the demolished ancestral market.
The hospital built by the Okorocha administration, was hurriedly erected in memory of 10 year old Late Somtochukwu Ibeanusi, who was killed during the demolition of the market.
The hospital was yet to take off as construction work on the site came to a halt after the Okorocha administration left office on May 29, 2019.
The demolition of the market was widely condemned as goods worth over N1 billion naira was lost at a period Nigeria was in economic recession.
The Ihedioha administration before it was removed from office by the Supreme Court in January 2020, had constituted a Commitee to ascertain the condition of the gigantic Somtochukwu hospital edifice, as a prelude to the rebuilding of the market.
Last month, Governor Hope Uzodinma initiated the process of rebuilding the market by assuring that the ancestral market so dear to Owerri indigenes and destroyed by his predecessor, will be rebuilt without further delay.
At a ground breaking ceremony to kick start the reconstruction of the market, the Governor said the Eke Ukwu market will be rebuilt in 18 months by modern engineers.
Speaking to Owerri leaders, stakeholders, community leaders, women and youth groups of Owerri municipal and traders at the premises of the event, Uzodinma said the new look market will have a fire service station, a police post, warehouse, lock up shops and other facilities.
