The Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Hon. Prince Lucky Promise Otuo, has commissioned a newly constructed inter-community market and abattoir donated to Ebukuma by the member representing Andoni Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Offiks Christopher Kagbang.
The facility is expected to boost grassroots commerce, stimulate economic activities and provide a more accessible trading environment for market women, traders and residents of Ebukuma and neighbouring communities.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Otuo described Kagbang as a compassionate and people-oriented leader whose contributions were making a significant impact on the development of Andoni.
The council chairman also announced start-up financial support for 23 women to enable them to establish businesses and benefit from the opportunities created by the new market.
He further pledged to facilitate the expansion of the facility, construct a standard police station to improve security, and sustain efforts to provide steady electricity to the community.
In a goodwill message, the APC candidate for Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Hon. Frederick Boma Apiafi, commended Otuo for supporting women’s economic empowerment through the financial assistance.
Apiafi said the support would help the beneficiaries establish and grow their businesses while taking advantage of the new market’s economic opportunities.
The project donor, Kagbang, appreciated the council chairman for his developmental contributions and additional commitments to Ebukuma, particularly the proposed police station.
He also thanked Apiafi for his support and urged residents of Ward 4 and Andoni to continue supporting development-oriented initiatives and leaders.
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Speaking on behalf of the community, the Chairman of Ebukuma Community Development Committee, Engr. Princewill Alabo, described the market and abattoir as a historic milestone.
He said the facility would ease the difficulties traders, especially women, previously faced travelling long distances to buy and sell their goods.
Similarly, the Councillor representing Andoni Ward 4, Hon. Gogo Tugwell, praised Kagbang for his sustained interventions in Ebukuma and other parts of Andoni.
He listed some of the lawmaker’s projects to include the renovation of a secondary school, installation of solar-powered streetlights in Ebukuma and other communities, and construction of eleven blocks of six classrooms across the local government area.
The Youth Leader of Ebukuma Youth Association, represented by Christian Etete Williams, also appreciated the lawmaker for his continued support and described the market and abattoir as important additions to the community’s infrastructure.
He pledged the continued support of the youths and residents for the Rainbow Coalition candidates.
Also speaking, Fortune Apolos, representing the Ebukuma Security Network, thanked Kagbang for the project and appealed for further interventions, particularly the expansion of the market to accommodate more traders.
The President of Ebukuma Women Association, Owor John Tugwell, expressed excitement over the facility and commended the lawmaker for the initiative.
She also praised the council chairman for extending electricity to the community as part of ongoing electrification efforts across Andoni.
In his remarks, Engr. David Ubuloma lauded Kagbang’s developmental contributions, including the provision of potable water to Ebukuma. He described the lawmaker as a leader who supports different groups in society, including youths, women, elders, traditional rulers, and children.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the APC candidate for Opobo/Nkoro State Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Kenneth Minima, alongside other political leaders and members of the Rainbow Coalition.
