Onitsha is rising and will take its rightful place in Nigeria

With the biggest hubs of specialized markets in Nigeria such as the Pharmaceutical Market (Ogbo Ogwu), Textile Market (Ogbo Abada), Timber Market (Ogbo Oshishi), Motor Spare Parts Market, Building Materials Market and Stock Fish Market (Ogbo Okporoko), Onitsha can jump start the economy of the south east and Nigeria, at large. Unfortunately, the city has not been able to grow at the rate it should and many now argue that markets like Ladipo and Balogun in Lagos have taken significant market shares in terms of the textile and automobile spare parts market in Nigeria.

But Onitsha – which had been the destination of choice of most big traders from West Africa – will come back to its past glory and in the words of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, ‘’Onitsha will rise again’’. Governor Soludo says ‘’dry bones will rise again’’ in Onitsha. The ongoing and slated projects in Onitsha show that Governor Soludo is matching his words with action.

Governor Soludo is determined to regenerate Onitsha.  Anambra State’s Urban Regeneration Council (AURC), which was established by Governor Soludo, has its work cut out. Major roads leading in and out of Onitsha are slated to be dualized – some have started and the contract for some have already been awarded- and the architectural plan for the reconstruction of Onitsha Main Market is almost complete. The plan is to reposition the market to a 21^st century market and restore its past glory as the largest market in Africa. To be relevant in the 21^st century, Africa’s biggest market in terms of geographical size and volume of goods must adapt to modern changes. Shoppers need a new kind of experience. For example, the growth of large shopping malls in developed and developing countries as opposed to traditional supermarkets – i.e. the Walmart, Shoprite and the Tesco of this world – is a result of increasing demands from shoppers, who demand better shopping experience.

The Urban Regeneration Council in Anambra is working on a master plan for Onitsha, a city where its original masterplan has been greatly abused by developers.

In terms of economic losses, the city loses billions of naira every Monday from the closure of shops as a result of the Monday sit-at-home protests. In fact, the research firm, SBM International, estimated the cost of the Monday sit-at-home in the south east, since it started, at 7.6 trillion naira. Some commentators have also argued that the closure of businesses on Mondays in Onitsha has resulted in the phenomenal growth of some businesses in Asaba, Onitsha’s closest neighboring city. The impact of this economic loss will last for a long time in the south east. Last Monday, Governor Soludo showed his displeasure with the large numbers of shops locked up at the Onitsha Main Market and admonished shop owners to ensure that they opened for business on Mondays. This is part of the plan to ensure that Onitsha is open for business 24/7.

The poor road networks in Onitsha are aggressively being revived. This kind of road infrastructure investment – even for developed countries – is not an easy task.  Major roads leading to Onitsha’s Main Market which were in bad conditions – such as the Port Harcourt Road and Niger Street – are now wearing a new look. The famous Ochanja Round About, located at the heart of Onitsha, that used to be a refuse dump now has a beautiful water fountain on it. The vision is to make shopping pleasurable in Onitsha in order to attract more traders from the West African region. Many roads are being constructed in the Greater Onitsha Metropolis and the design for many more are in the pipeline.

There is an intentional plan to make shopping pleasurable in the very busy and sometimes chaotic markets in Onitsha. The bustling economic activity in Onitsha had attracted thousands of touts to the markets but, today, with the anti-touting law in Anambra and the Special Anti-Touting Squad, Governor Soludo has been able to check the menace of touts, especially in the Upper Iweka Area.

The intentional regeneration of Okpoko – a suburb in Onitsha – is part of the efforts to reposition Onitsha. Normally, working class people, especially essential workers, who are not able to afford rents in major cities live in the suburbs of these major cities and Okpoko plays this role for Onitsha. Today, Okpoko which used to be the biggest slum in the south east now has a general hospital, pipe borne water system, well equipped schools, civic centers and over 15km of asphalted roads with superb drainage systems. All these were achieved in the last 2 years.

The grand plan to regenerate Upper Iweka Area – a location that is home to over 50 parks, markets, shops, street vendors, and unauthorized structures – have started. In the coming weeks, fully digitalized CCTV surveillance cameras at Onitsha Head Bridge, Upper Iweka Junction and Ochanja Round About will come on board.

In the coming months, the construction of a new residential, commercial and business district at the bank of the River Niger is expected to commence. This proposed brand new city, which will be home to thousands of people, is going to be a flagship smart and eco-friendly city in Nigeria. The design for this city is almost complete.

The vision to turn Onitsha into a modern mega city is not going to be easy, especially with the current economic condition at the subnational levels. (As at today, Governor Soludo has been able to achieve the significant investment he has made in infrastructure as a result of his prudent management of Anambra’s resources.) Anambra’s Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP) model will play a significant role in the regeneration of Onitsha.

The vision to rebuild Onitsha has started. In doing this, Governor Soludo requires the support of the good people of Anambra.

Nwankwo is the special adviser on special projects to Soludo.