By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

Residents of Ogboji Town in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State were ecstatic following the handover of the completed ultramodern retail and lock-up shops market to the community.

The market which was constructed by the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme-Phase One (ATASP-1), a Federal Government special agriculture intervention initiative was in fulfilment of the yearnings of leaders and people of the area to have where they could transact businesses unhindered.

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The Zonal Programme Coordinator, ATASP-1 Adani-Omor Crops Processing Zone, Mr Romanus Egba said the facility was built with grants from African Development Bank (AfDB) group and state government’s counterpart funds, with zero financial contribution from the community.

He said the decision to construct the market followed appeals by the community that modern market would be more beneficial to them.

“Apart from supporting our farmers, who cultivate rice, cassava or sorghum to attain maximum yields and create employment opportunities along the value chain, we also provide social infrastructures and support services that enable them to sell their produce and attain a better living standards.

“Initially, we wanted to drill a borehole in the community to provide clean water for them, but we discovered that traders in the market do not have a roof under them and were easily exposed to the elements.”