From the beauty of the main entry point, the famous Faulks road, with the well-paved pedestrian walkway and the concrete median that have helped to control traffic, there is a sense of order and decency that bespeak of the new Ariaria international market in Aba, Abia State. There is also a memory that has disappeared – the haunting spectre of the flood of Ukwu Mango with its accompanying debris and refuse heaps.
There is also the almost nightmarish memory of nagging motorists, barrow-pushers and commuters struggling for space on the road and the daily chaotic drama. All these are things of the past. The orientation and the atmosphere are new. However, this is not the Ariaria Traders’ tale.
The story of Vivian Achuonu captures the tale of the Ariaria artisans and traders. Achuonu is the business owner of Mummy Baby Communications, dealers on phones and telecommunication gadgets, whose shop is at 63 Lock-up Shop, A-Line.
Achuonu is happy and grateful to Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia statefor being a beneficiary of a great vision and initiative of the governor that have turned life around and engendered a new lease of experience in the way and manner of doing business at the international market.
She, like many others, is enjoying uninterrupted power supply, kudos to the Ariaria Independent Power Project, powered by the Ariaria Market Energy Solution Limited (AMES), a public-private partnership project between the state government, federal government and the Rural Electrification Agency, an arm of the federal ministry of power. “Our business has improved. We enjoy uninterrupted power supply from 7.30am to 5pm. Power was a major challenge for us in this market. But, now with the power plant, the problem is solved, we shall remain grateful to Governor Ikpeazu,” declared Vivian Achuonu.
Micheal Amaku, business owner of M&C Boss Limited, former vice chairman of Ariaria International Market Association (AIMA) and a dealer in suits and governor Ikpeazu for attracting this project. Now, we can use all our gadgets in the market, including music equipment and CCTV. There is a lot of advantage in the Independent Power Project. It is efficient and effective, and the price is affordable. We are so comfortable with their tariff. We used to pay N4000 weekly to some private generator plants, but with this new one we pay N2000. It has made our business easy. Our governor is a man of vision,” he affirmed.
Chika Eze produces leather materials like bags and belt. His story is that of eulogy and thanksgiving to governor Ikpeazu for the vision of the power project which, according to him, has consolidated his Made-in-Aba promotion drives and assisted new business start-ups in growing. “Power was a major issue here for us. From the shoemakers and leather workers and other artisans, our story is the same. But, this singular effort of the governor has changed our narratives in the way our business is done here at Ariaria. We now work round the clock without any hindrances,” he said.
Indeed, the Ariaria Traders’ tale is a ringing endorsement to visionary leadership. It is both a commendation and a justification for a leader, who, from onset, has remained passionate about fostering a new orientation in the Aba artisanship economy – a very vibrant economy that many stakeholders neglected for long.
For governor Ikpeazu, the Ariaria Market Energy Solution (AMES) is one of the critical vehicles for driving the state’s policy of promoting Small, Micro and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs); a successful adventure that has become one of the major signposts of the administration and for which he has received plaudits from all concerned.
There is a sense in which the Ariaria Traders’ Tale is not only a lullaby of victory for the leader but also a measure of the collective sentiment of acceptance and contentment with the creative metamorphosis of Abia in the hand of the teacher-governor.
The pilot phase of the Ariaria Market Energy Solution Limited started in 2017 at the A-Line section of the market. Later, the government approved for the construction of the permanent site of the plant. The power plant was eventually commissioned on the 29th January 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari, with a total capacity of 9.6 megawatts. Kelechi Nwankpa, system operator of the plant station, disclosed that the company started with two megawatts. Even with many shops that have hooked up to the grid, the consumption is still not up to 1 megawatt.
“The reason is that the market is not fully integrated into the power grid. The station can serve the entire community beyond the market. It’s a gas-flared power, not just gas but Compressed Natural Gas from Total Support Plant, Eleme, Port-Harcourt,” he said.
Last line: the vision of governor Ikpeazu AMES is to ensure uninterrupted power supply to all customers, Aba artisans and traders at the Ariaria International Market. From the testimonial of beneficiaries, governor Ikpeazu has scored a big pass mark. There is a new orientation and a unique atmosphere of business at Ariaria.
Come, let’s visit Ariaria.
GODWIN ADINDU
Adindu is the director-general of the Abia state orientation agency.
