CHECKBEST International Limited has dismissed as false and misleading the claims made during a protest at Aba North Local Government Headquarters over the ongoing remodeling of Ariaria International Market A-Line Phase 2.
In a statement released on Friday by the Public Relations Officer , the company described the allegations as the work of “mischief makers still trapped in the old politics of share-the-money”, stressing that Governor Alex Chioma Otti’s administration is committed to transparency and will never do things through the backdoor.
CHECKBEST clarified that the remodeling project was duly approved by His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, after which a Tripartite Committee was set up. The committee consists of the Abia State Government (led by the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce), Ariaria Market leadership, and CHECKBEST as developer.
“This project is not a backroom deal. It is government policy in action, guided by a committee that represents all stakeholders,” the statement said.
The company expressed concern that “some of the very people spreading lies and falsehood have been active participants in ongoing engagements between the developer and the traders as can be seen in videos and images accompanying the press release .
It added that certain actors behind the protest are not even active traders in Ariaria Market but individuals with “selfish, clannish interests that have nothing to do with the welfare of traders or the progress of Abia State.”
CHECKBEST also clarified that contrary to the claims of 10,000 shops being affected, verified records from the Ministry of Trade show that the section earmarked for remodeling does not have anywhere near that number of shops.
The company assured traders that no genuine shop owner will lose his or her shop. Already, 400 fitted shops have been provided as relocation space for those affected during the phase-by-phase exercise.
“We are building in phases to make sure business does not stop. The governor has been clear: no trader will be displaced permanently,” CHECKBEST emphasized.
To minimize disruption, CHECKBEST confirmed that the remodelling will be executed in carefully planned phases so that business activities can continue alongside construction.
To make the project easier on traders, the Tripartite Committee has also secured partnerships with banks willing to provide flexible loans and facilities.
“This arrangement will help every trader retain and reacquire their shop under the new modern structures,” the statement added.
CHECKBEST also clarified its role:
“We are not contractors chasing government money. We are developers, who have brought our resources and technical abilities under a Public and Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement to deliver a world-class market for the people of Abia.”
The company said the project is part of Governor Otti’s vision for a New Abia, where development is done openly and for the benefit of the people.
“Anyone claiming otherwise is peddling lies to distract the government and mislead traders. The Ariaria Market remodelling is for the traders, by the traders, and with the traders, it is unfortunate that some individuals want to sponsor protest against the developmental decision of the Governor “ the statement Concluded.
