Controversy dogs Nnewi multi-billion naira market shops allocation

Controversy is currently trailing the construction and allocation of multi-billion naira blocks of shops constructed at Agbedo Motor Parts Market in Nnewi, Anambra State.

A prominent figure in the town, Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, also widely known as Gabros, had in a viral video alleged shady dealings in the allocation of the newly constructed blocks of shops.

He insisted that over N4 billion realized from illegal allocation of shops in the market had been embezzled.

Though Chukwuma failed to mention names, the Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Echezona Anazodo, who spoke to journalists during a fact finding visit to his office on Thursday, said he was neither responsible for the allocation of shops or collection of money for the shops, insisting that the project was handled by private investors.

The chairman said he neither collected the said sum, nor embezzled it as was being alleged.

“I did not collect any money from anybody. Neither I nor the local government received or managed any funds for that project.

“We were aware of the project and facilitated its implementation, but the work itself was carried out by a contractor appointed by the market committee.

“I encourage members of the public to visit the project site and speak with the people directly involved. They should investigate what actually transpired and verify whether any money was paid to the local government,” he said.

The Chairman of Agbedo Motor Parts Market, Mr. Kennedy Oguaju, told our correspondent that the project was wholly a private initiative of the traders.

Oguaju said the project was financed and owned by traders and executed through a contractor appointed by the market committee, corroborating the local government chairman.

He said his office was not involved in the allocation or sales of the shops, insisting that allegations that shops within the market were also given out as compensation for political patronage were false.