A significant disagreement has emerged regarding the development and distribution of new shop blocks at the Agbedo Motor Parts Market in Nnewi, Anambra State. Chief Gabriel Chukwuma, a well-known local figure, recently claimed in a widely circulated video that there were illicit practices occurring during the allocation process. He asserted that more than N4 billion collected from these shop assignments had been misappropriated.
Echezona Anazodo, the Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, addressed these accusations during a meeting with reporters on Thursday. He denied any personal or governmental involvement in collecting funds or allocating the shop spaces, clarifying that private investors managed the project. Anazodo stated that while the local government supported the initiative, the market committee and their chosen contractor oversaw the actual construction and financial aspects. He urged the public to conduct their own inquiries at the market site to verify the facts.
Kennedy Oguaju, the Chairman of the Agbedo Motor Parts Market, supported the local government’s stance, noting that the project was a private venture funded by the traders themselves. Oguaju dismissed claims that shops were distributed as political rewards and maintained that his office did not participate in the sale or assignment of the units.
