Edo gov promises traders free shop allocation at renovated market

File photo: Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has said traders will be allocated shops free of charge at the rehabilitated Oba Market in Benin City when the project is completed to enable them to resume business quickly.

According to a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, the governor made this known on Tuesday during an inspection of ongoing projects in the state, accompanied by journalists.

Okpebholo said the free allocation would apply only for an initial period, after which the traders would be expected to make payments.

“Just as we came in to start building, we promised them that it was going to be free. The initial access has to be free,” he said.

He explained that the decision reflected his administration’s commitment to supporting traders affected by the rehabilitation and remodelling of the market, which was razed by a major fire in June 2020 and suffered another fire outbreak in October 2025.

The governor said the market had two sections. One had remained undeveloped for about 11 to 12 years, while the other was in better condition and needed remodelling.

Under the plan, traders in the section currently being rehabilitated will first move into the newly completed section to allow work to continue. They will return to their original locations once the second section is completed.

Okpebholo said the first phase of the project included a crèche, a clinic, water supply, fire service facilities and other amenities intended to improve the welfare of traders and customers.

The market now has about 900 shops, comprising roughly 500 lock-up shops and 400 open stalls.

He added that the rehabilitation, which began last year, was intended to provide traders and residents who patronise the market with a more conducive and functional environment.

Apart from the Oba Market, the journalists also visited the New Edo Line, Oredo Girls Secondary School and Army Day Senior Secondary School.

The Principal of Oredo Girls Secondary School, Adesuwa Uwaifo, spoke about the difficult conditions teachers and students endured in the past and thanked the governor for renovating the school to meet modern standards.

At Army Day Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, said the government took 21 days to provide essential infrastructure.

He said the work included the construction of a perimeter fence, provision of water supply and toilets, installation of solar-powered electricity and replacement of old chalkboards with modern marker boards. Tables and chairs were also supplied to the classrooms.

According to Afegbua, pupils who left for the Easter holiday returned to find the school completely transformed.