Umuaka News24

In an exclusive interview with Umuaka News24, Hon. Mrs Ngozi Obiefule, the former Mayor of Akah City, narrated how she was able to redevelop Afor Umuaka and all the challenges she faced.

She commends Eze Mike Nnaka for providing interest-free funding for the market project.

According to Hon. Mrs. Obiefule, there was efforts to document all shop owners in the market prior to the demolition to ensure that everyone was recorded and given opportunity to acquire new shop from the new buildings.

While the new shops sold for 800,000 Naira, documented previous shop owners were given opportunity to only pay 250,000 Naira for a new shop, even by installments.

Many were able to pay while some couldn’t complete their payments due to one reason or another and were refunded.

Every of the ten communities in Umuaka were allocated three shops for 250,000 Naira each. Their Ezes were also personally given two shops for the same amount. The allocations were available for respective communities, except any that didn’t come forward.

At a meeting held at Eze Amiyi’s Palace, he requested for 30 shops for each community but the mayor refused because it was not feasible to do so. The market was being developed with private funding and it was not practical to give out shops in such manner, especially considering the fact that there were numerous previous owners that needed to be accommodated.

Ten forms were given to every Eze to sell to indigenes of their communities that were interested in buying shops at Afor Umuaka. Announcements were made in churches and other different channels, including communications through President Generals of communities.

Hon. Mrs. Obiefule said that the original shops belonging to communities were demolished by Mbanaso who was the state commissioner for works at the time for road expansion.

She said that for some reason, Eze of Amiyi antagonised the Afor Umuaka project, same with Hon. Bon Nnaka who became the sole administrator of Njaba LGA.

In fact, Hon. Bon Nnaka wanted her to give him shops for free which she declined.

Chief Eddy Ikwubuo connived with commissioner Mbanaso and took over a portion of the market.

From 2015 after Hon. Mrs. Obiefule was elected member representating Isu local government in the Imo State house of assembly, the market committee led by His Royal Highness Eze Aloysius Ojinnaka took charge of the development and she only played a supervisory role.

Things became a bit tough because the cost of building materials were skyrocketing and the project was running into financial trouble. That was the reason it was not possible to repay Pharm. Eze Mike Nnaka his money and he had to take shops to cover the funds.

The market committee was taking money from prospective buyers to build and allocate shops to those they took money from.

That was how the process continued until the market was completed.

Hon. Obiefule said that she fought many battles, both physically and spiritually. People took her to court and even to the floor of Imo State house of assembly. She also stated that eziekwu Afor appeared to her and queried what she was doing to the market but she responded that she was only trying to beautify it. After that encounter with eziekwu Afor, she informed Eze Ojinnaka about it and believed that she had obtained permission from even the spirit of the market.

She said that Umuaka people are progressives and come together to achieve objectives which is difficult in other towns but unfortunately like litigations a lot.

After several years since the market was redeveloped, issues are still emanating from that project and she’s always receiving calls over the matter.

Umuaka market was not only the market she developed. She also developed a market at Avu in Owerri West and she’s held in high esteem in that town till today.
She only has just one single shop at Afor Umuaka. She’s not someone that is moved by material things and by the grace of God, she has reached a stage in her life where she doesn’t chase vanities.

Hon. Mrs. Obiefule believes that working at Umuaka opened doors for her and even took her to the house of assembly because of her performance. She believes that Umuaka has a contagious blessing that she contracted after working in the town.

Hon. Mrs. Ngozi Obiefule also stated that she’s always available to speak with any delegate that Umuaka sends to have a discussion with her. All they need to do is make appointment and she will welcome them with all pleasure.

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