…Sets to commence rehabilitation of Ekiosa Market, Burnt Portion of Oba Market, Others.
By Tunde Tee Olatunji
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki on Monday, during a stakeholder meeting with Market Women Association in the State, assured Edo residents of ongoing plans by the CBN to ensure funds are distributed around the State through authorized POS terminal operators and to revoke the license of operators who sees this as an opportunity to extort money from citizens by charging above the normal rate set by the apex financial regulatory body.
Obaseki made this known while delivering his remark at the stakeholder meeting held in Government House on 6th of February, 2023, appealed for uttermost cooperation amongst residents as the State is working tirelessly to ensure the lingering naira crisis is laid to rest.
Obaseki said: This meeting today will be focused on addressing three key issues; first, the issue of naira scarcity and the way forward. Secondly, the hike in the price of food commodities in our markets. The third issue is with respect to our market affected by fire incidence masterminded by some heartless individuals in the society and the plans to revamp them before the close of my administration. Even some other markets in their delipidated states, how to commence rehabilitation works.
“I the Governor, am not left out in this current issue of naira scarcity affecting residents in the State and that is why I called for the meeting with the CBN executives.
“Anyone operating a POS terminal with License, the CBN will ensure they get funds starting from tomorrow. For any POS operator that charges more than the standard rate set by the financial regulatory body, we would ensure we cease their operating license.
“But hope you know that POS is not limited to only cards, they can also help you transfer funds from one transaction point to another”.
According to Obaseki: “The CBN has started the distribution of more funds into the State but directed majorly to the rural areas. We urge you to leverage your mobile device for urban areas.
“The Edo State Government will issue the Edo Residency Identity Card to its residents, the ID Card can be used to make payments, and it can be used in the market for financial transactions. By the grace of God, before I leave office, I will ensure all Edo residents are issued the State ID Card and it can be used in the banks, markets, and schools.
Obaseki while unveiling ongoing plans by the State to revamp markets cited in the different parts of the State, urged for cooperation among the market women to ensure the successful actualization of the project.
Obaseki said: “For your markets, we have completed the designs for Ekiosa Market, but I can not begin the construction process without you people. You must join us in looking at and approving the designs made. The market was designed to well ventilated.
“The design incorporates; a primary health care center, playground for children and others. Once the design is approved, before the end of next month, construction works will commence. If not for the election that is close, we would have commenced construction immediately”.
He added: “I will need to sit down with those of you from the Oliha market to enable us to design a plan and commence rehabilitation works.
“The burnt section of the Oba market will be revamped. We would need your effort to secure the cooperation of all trading in the market to enable us to commence rehabilitation works.
“For the Edo Central and Edo North markets, we will need the market women from those regions to have a meeting with us to enable us to know what kind of design is needed and how to commence the construction works”.
