Port Harcourt modern auto parts market now on fast track

The dream has been long in session but day seems to be here. Every governor or administration that comes in Rivers State wants spare parts dealers and those associated with cars to go out of the heart of Diobu to the outskirts of the Garden City.

Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, the man said to have big mind for legacy projects, took the project like a weightlifter by securing the sight at Iriebe in Elelenwo but his last two years were in political crisis.

Nyesom Wike began by giving huge hope for the project and in fact, laid the foundation stone and hope was very high. The market was to mop up all parts sellers and dealers, auto electricians, sellers and repairers of other accessories, and send them to a kind of village between Eleme Flyover and Oyigbo, jutting backward into Igbo-Etche.

The auto-parts village is to have a school, a church, a market, clinic/maternity, and other facilities so people can conclude all their family transactions in one place. Such was the dream that shot the impending occupants to high blooms. But, this was aborted in the Wike era. An insider in the market laid the blame on traders’ actions, greed, etc.

Now, Gov Sim Fubara seems to have cracked the code and must have found what went wrong and where.

Last week, the governor took a significant step on the project on what is known as the ‘Port Harcourt International Automobile Spare Parts Trading and Commercial Centre.’ The governor said he was delighted to make another significant impact on strategic governance in the state.

He emphasised that the project was evidence of his genuine interest in the wellbeing of Rivers people, and the desire to promote growth, not because of any personal or business interest.

He explained that when he assumed office, the initial partners of the project were invited, and after extensive discussion and the reasons they gave for the delay, it was decided to relieve them of the job.

He clarified that the former project partners had been paid off before GOSH Project Limited was engaged, adding that they have no reason not to deliver on schedule.

The governor said, “We are not just coming here to flag-off the project, we want to see it completed in reality. That is what we stand for. Not coming to flag-off, and tomorrow, it doesn’t work, and it is stalled.

Gov Fubara advised the project partners to ensure that every commitment is made for the successful delivery of the project on schedule.

“At the time that this centre will be properly put in place, it will change the economic status of this environment. People will be employed, businesses will thrive, and for those of you that are landlords, you will have more tenants.”

In his address, the Acting Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Tonte Davies, said the groundbreaking that signaled commencement of construction of the project marks a significant milestone in furthering the interest and welfare of Rivers people. He mentioned the 20,000 housing scheme.

Providing a description of the project, the Chief Executive Officer of GOSH Projects Limited, Okoh Jeff, said there are 10,000 locked-up shops, 25 banking facilities, 25 brand plaza, 50 industrial warehouses, 10,000 car parks, and mega filling stations.

There are also ultramodern shopping complex, ultramodern mechanic complex, hotel facilities, export and import trading facilities, while the project will be completed in 36 months.