The ongoing regeneration of the famous Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State is expected to be completed by December 2026, with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) expressing satisfaction with the quality and structural integrity of the work carried out so far.
The assurance was given by officials of the Anambra State Government during an inspection tour of the market by a COREN delegation.
The Commissioner for Housing, Architect Henry Arinze, described Governor Chukwuma Soludo as a leader committed to excellence, noting that significant improvements had been made to modernise the market and improve its facilities.
According to him, five boreholes have been sunk, access roads widened and opened up, while toilet facilities and other essential infrastructure have been provided as part of the regeneration project.
The Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr Nomso Ebonwu, and the Special Adviser on Special Projects and Director of Project Evaluation and Monitoring, Professor Ebuka Nwankwo, also highlighted the historical significance of the market and the need for its comprehensive redevelopment.
They recalled that the market was established in 1900 but was destroyed by fire after the Nigerian Civil War. They added that the last major construction work at the market took place during the administration of the late Ukpabi Asika.
According to the officials, the market had not undergone any major redevelopment since then, prompting the present administration to embark on the regeneration project to improve its infrastructure and bring the facility up to modern standards.
Representing the Anambra State Chairman of COREN, Engineer Akaolisa Ezeagu expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project and commended Governor Soludo for taking the initiative to modernise the historic commercial centre.
Ezeagu noted that the project represented the market’s first major remodelling since 1970 and praised the structural integrity of the work completed so far.
He assured that COREN would continue to provide the necessary professional oversight and maintain strict supervision of the engineering aspects of the project until its completion.
Other government officials who participated in the inspection included the Commissioner for Power, the Commissioner for Local Government and the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market.
The regeneration project is expected to improve trading conditions, enhance access within the market and provide better infrastructure for traders and customers who depend on the commercial hub for their livelihoods.
The Onitsha Main Market remains one of the most prominent commercial centres in West Africa, attracting traders and buyers from across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
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