Ogbete Main Market located in the heart of Enugu, the Enugu State capital is one of the developed markets in Igbo land which first began as an abode for trade by barter before it was developed by the colonial masters.
Following the development of infrastructure by the colonial masters, it gave rise to intra-ethic and inter-ethnic transactions.
However, during the Nigeria/Biafra ill-fated war, Ogbete market was said to have become an arena for the Nigeria military side who converted the place for sexual abuses.
Between 1970 when the civil war ended and now, Ogbete market has transformed tremendously serving as a melting pot of viable inter group relations and economic succour to the people.
Arguably, Ogbete market is the largest and cheapest selling place where one can buy almost anything imaginable. Each market has its own layout with different areas dedicated to certain goods, such as groceries, clothes, electronics, books, vegetables and grains, among others.
Traders are always at hand to assist prospective buyers to purchase what they want in the market.
News Echo learnt that opening of the market starts 7am and closes at 6pm for six days a week.
It was learnt that apart from the era of civil war when the market was gutted by fire, there had been a series of fire incident in the market.
Fresh in the mind was the recent inferno that hit the market, although fire-fighters prevented it from causing huge damage.
It could be recalled that traders used fire extinguishers to prevent the inferno from spreading to other parts of the market although it touched the foam section of the market.
The fire which was said to have started at a foam shop rampaging to adjoining shops was immediately arrested by traders making good use of the fire extinguishers installed in all corners of the market to combat the fire before prompt arrival of the state fire service”, one of the traders who gave his name as Samuel Onyema recalled.
The Chief Fire Officer, Enugu State, Okwudiri Ohaa said he was happy that the traders lived up to expectation by putting their fire training knowledge by the State Fire service to work before his men could arrive at the scene
However, Ohaa had at every forum repeatedly appealed to traders to be careful and always be on the lookout especially this harmattan period to avoid fire disaster in the market emphasizing that the market authority should make the roads leading to and around the market accessible to fire trucks in case of any eventuality.
Today, a visitor to the market will see that the newly appointed executive of the union of the market led by Ejike Cosmas Ezeugwu is not leaving anything to chance as the leadership had been able to unite all interest groups in the market which hitherto got split before the election that was later postponed by the state government.
One of the striking features observed by the reporter at Ogbete market is that commodities are relatively cheap as prices of some items such as yam, oil, garri, rice, beans, among others are lower than in other markets like Kenyatta, New market and Artisan Market. For instance, while a local bag of rice is sold at N12, 000. 00, it is sold at N13, 500. 00 in other markets in Enugu metropolis.
Speaking to News Echo in Enugu on Wednesday in his office, the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Ogbete Main Market Traders’ Association (OMMATA), Hon. Ezeugwu, explained that justice and fairness remained his watchword, stressing that Governor Ugwuanyi had been supportive, hence there was quick restoration of peace in the market.
Ezeugwu said that his greatest desire is to take the Market to a greater height, pointing out that when he assumed office, the market was in a sorry state with bad roads, blocked drainages as well as barrow pushers constituting a nuisance to traders and buyers, but today, the market has taken a different shape.
According to him, immediately he assumed office, he swung into action and since then lot of successes have been recorded.
“There was a time in Ogbete when we had many bad roads and blocked drainages. There were so many barrow pushers milling here and there but today, we have regulated the movement of the barrow pushers.
“Moreover, we have done up to 95% repairs on the roads inside the market and have opened up blocked drainages. In short, our desire is to take Ogbete to a greater height, God willing,” he said.
Ezeugwu however insisted that his success story is to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi as well as the Enugu North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emeka Onunze whose intervention made it possible for them to improve the hitherto sordid face of Ogbete.
“The secret of our success is God first, followed by our father and leader, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive Governor of Enugu State in conjunction with our city mayor, Hon. Emeka Onunze. They are the mask behind our success,” he said.
Asked when they would conduct election to elect a substantive president for the market, Ezeugwu said before long that would be done, assuring traders to go about their business, saying that security has been strengthened in the market.
“I know the election of the market union executive was postponed indefinitely but it will be held soon. As it is, normalcy has been restored to Ogbete market. Traders are happy and we are doing our best to see that there is justice, equity and fair-play in the market. There is security as well as peaceful coexistence in the market. Internal disputes are resolved amicably. I have to commend our able Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for his leadership quality. He is people’s governor”, he added.
He also said that the sewage problem between the market and the prison’s quarters is being tackled, pointing out that Governor Ugwuanyi has equally intervened in the matter.
We are working towards the control of the sewage disposal crisis between the Prison quarters and the Ogbete Main Market. Governor Ugwuanyi has even intervened in the matter,” he said.
“Some of the traders interviewed also poured encomiums on the state governor, saying he is a peace loving leader whose bi-partisan politics has endeared him into the hearts of the people including traders at Ogbete market.