Ebonyi market leader defends reforms, pledges massive support for Governor’s second term
The President of the Integrated Building Materials Market in Ebonyi State, Chief Fidelis Onyibe Onwe, has called on traders to remain peaceful and law-abiding, while cautioning individuals allegedly plotting to destabilize the market to desist from such actions.
Reacting to recent petitions and protests by tile sellers within the market, Onwe accused certain individuals with close ties to the corridors of power of attempting to incite unrest and undermine his leadership.
Despite the tensions, he reaffirmed the commitment of the market leadership to mobilize massive support for Governor Francis Nwifuru’s re-election in 2027, describing the ambition as non-negotiable.
He disclosed that traders are already planning a large-scale rally in support of the governor, citing his leadership style, infrastructural strides, and investment in human capital development as reasons for continued support through 2031.
“The whole integrated building materials will vote massively for governor Francis Nwifuru come 2027. And I promise.And it must come to pass.
“Our governor is doing well.Come and see developments in every corner of the state. He’s a man of the people. So I cannot do anything that will tarnish his image.
“The whole integrated building materials have a plan. We’re going to do a maga rally to support the governor’s second term”
Onwe further highlighted ongoing efforts to transform the market into a modern commercial hub capable of attracting investors. He appealed to critics, especially those allegedly influencing traders in the tile section, to embrace peace rather than fuel division.
“Some people in the tiles section just hated me for no reason. But that will not make me weak. I know what I’m doing. And they are just trying to tarnish my image.”
Speaking on infrastructural improvements, Onwe recounted the poor state of the market before his administration and the steps taken to improve it.
“Since I took over the leadership of the integrated building materials over two years ago. That place didn’t look like a market, it was not habitable and looked like an animal Kingdom, when the government took us to that place.
“I was very desirous for the development of the market, that’s why when we came on board, I used my personal huge sum and borrowed from friends who are supporting my leadership to hire a grader to latriate the whole market because everywhere was swampy.
“The entrances to the market were impassable and we decided to put two maga culverts. We had to borrow again both materials and money to do the projects.
“Since we latrated the whole market and the entrances, the market became motorable. We sandfil large part of the market, and mounted street lights everywhere.
“Remember, when I took over the leadership, no money was available for me to start anything, rather I met Dept.
“We never imposed any levy to anybody till date, except one certain time, we expected governor, Francis Nwifuru to come and show us where we will build the hall. We don’t have a hall.
“People are very happy over my leadership. First of all, there is peace.You can’t come to building materials and find any war or crisis or malice within each other.
“We are in peace, except for some elements who have vowed that they will make my leadership ungovernable.Even at that, I respect them.
“I don’t quarrel, I don’t make problem with anybody. This last one.We had a meeting and agreed to contribute50,000 and later reduced to 30,000.We have four sections of market.Aluminium, weather, tiles and building itself.
“We are micro-integrated. And, all these sections have its chairman and I am the overall president. We are currently building mega toilets and buildings in the area.
“We agreed that those whose shops have projections will pay the money. We don’t have gates and then, we want to complete the parameter fencing, so that the mar
ket will be more secured” he stressed.
