By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to consider constructing affordable mini market as a way of curbing the menace of street in the state.

The Lawmakers urged the governor to direct the duo of Special Adviser on Trade and Market and the Managing Director, Awka Capital Territory Development Authority, (ACTDA), to champion the construction.

Moving the motion during a plenary session on Friday, Hon Henry Mbachu, representing Awka South one Constituency on the ticket of Labour Party ticket said that poverty rate was on the increase, hence creating avenues for people to earn a living has become mandatory.

He added: "There are many quarters within Awka metropolis which creates the need to establish local mini-markets to serve the people living within those areas.

“It is nearly impossible to secure a shop within the already established markets and the limited shops available are in high and exorbitant price to rent.

“The establishment of mini-markets within Awka metropolis, will be a solution to solve the menace of shanties, street trading and serve as a means of encouraging micro businesses thereby achieving the goals of making Anambra a livable and prosperous homeland.

“Awka has one major market in Eke-Awka and its capacity cannot serve the population of people living in the city which resulted to the creation of street treading as an option in other neighbourhood.

“Woman selling tomatoes and Maggi cannot afford to rent a shop which is not less than 150,000 naira now in Awka and this has made street trading difficult to curb.”

Supporting the motion, 7 lawmakers which include Minority Whip Mr Paul Obu, representing Orumba North State Constituency, Chief Whip Hon. Jude Ngobili (Ihiala one), Hon. Patrick Okafor (Onitsha North two), Hon. Golden Iloh (Ihiala two), Hon. Anthony Mobuike (Aguata two), Hon. Bernard Udemezue (Ayamelum) and Hon. Emmanuel Nwafor (Orumba South) in their separate submissions called for the construction of affordable local mini market within Awka metropolis.

According to them, street trading is a very big menace in the state and is not decent.

They said creation of the mini markets will reduce avoidable accident and create easy flow of vehicles, describing it as an alternative provision

On his part, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, commended Hon. Nigeria Mbachu for the motion, stating that there is no better society were government will encourage street trading.

He however said that the construction of mini markets in Awka should not be left for government alone.

The Speaker called on Individuals and cooperate establishments to assist so that the state will have enough.