Governor Siminalayi Fubara has officially signaled the commencement of a landmark commercial infrastructure project: the total reconstruction of the historic Creek Road Market. Heavy machinery moved into the old Port Harcourt Township, beginning the demolition of dilapidated structures that have housed the city’s premier seafood and “Okrika” hubs for decades.
The project, which is a centerpiece of the administration’s 2026 Urban Renewal Policy, aims to transform the currently congested and hazardous trading area into a modern economic powerhouse. For residents of Rivers State, this is more than just a renovation; it is a long-awaited fulfillment of a promise to restore the “Garden City” aesthetic while providing a dignified environment for the state’s thousands of micro-entrepreneurs.
Currently, sections of Creek Road have been cordoned off and converted into a temporary trading zone. While this has caused significant traffic bottlenecks in the Township axis, the State Ministry of Works has deployed additional personnel to manage the flow of shoppers and vehicles.
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From a business and finance perspective, the new Creek Road Market is designed to be a “smart” commercial hub. Unlike the old sheds, the new facility will incorporate modern sanitation systems to handle the high volume of organic waste from the seafood section, a move that even local health officials say will significantly reduce the risk of waterborne diseases in the area.
The financial reasoning behind the project is rooted in expanding the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). By formalizing the market, the government can better track commercial activities and provide traders with “Shop Titles” that can serve as collateral for microloans, a major source of concern for Port Harcourt traders who currently operate in the informal shadows.
Governor Fubara has assured the public that a transparent, tech-driven allocation portal will be launched to prevent “middlemen” from hijacking the shops when completed. As demolition continues, the eyes of the business community remain on Creek Road, not just for the new buildings, but for the new model of inclusive development it promises to represent.
