David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka
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 claimed that there were shady dealings in the market, especially as it had to do with the newly constructed massive blocks of shops.
He insisted that over N4 billion had been realised from illegal allocation of shops in the market and had already been embezzled.
Though Chukwuma failed to mention names, but the Chairman of the Nnewi North Local Government Area, Hon. Echezona Anazodo who oversees the market 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.
When THISDAY visited the market, the Chairman of Agbedo Motor Parts Market, Mr. Kennedy Oguaju, said that the market project was wholly a private initiative of the traders.
Oguaju said the market was financed and owned by traders and executed through a contractor appointed by the market committee, corroborating the local government chairman.
Oguaju said his office was not involved in the allocation or sales of the shops, insisting that allegations that shops within the market were given out as compensation for political patronage was false.