Traders at the Allied Building Materials International Market, Nteje, popularly known as Ogbo Rod, have appealed to the Anambra State Government to provide quality access roads to the market and enforce the full relocation of iron dealers from roadside locations to the permanent site.
The traders made the appeal during a press briefing at the market, located along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway in Nteje, Anambra State.
According to the traders, poor road access remains one of their major challenges despite the completion and occupation of the permanent market.
President General of the market, Hon. Ignatius Ejike, said traders began relocating from rented shops and roadside locations around Atani Road, Port Harcourt Road, Uga Street and Bridge Head Market in Onitsha to the permanent site in February 2025.
He explained that the market comprises eight unions dealing in iron, steel pipes, plastic tanks, PVC pipes and other building materials.
Ejike said the facility was designed to accommodate heavy-duty vehicles and enable traders to load and offload goods with ease.
He added that the market has central overhead water tanks serving the various unions, while the entire facility was developed to meet international standards.
However, he expressed concern that some traders were yet to comply with the government’s relocation directive, urging the state government to enforce full compliance.
Ejike also called for the construction of quality asphalted access roads and improvement of the market’s entrance gates, saying these would significantly enhance business activities and unlock the full potential of the market.
A member of the Board of Trustees, Chief Nnaemeka Onuzulike, commended the traders for completing the project, which he said began in 2014.
Onuzulike appealed to members who were still operating outside the permanent site to return and join the eight unions in developing the market into a major destination for iron and other building materials.
Another stakeholder, Chief Ignatius Agbalizu, described the location of the market as strategic, citing its proximity to the Federal Housing Estate, University on the Niger and Umueri Airport.
Agbalizu also disclosed that the unions had approved a five per cent discount for customers from September 8 to December 31, 2026, as part of efforts to attract more patronage.
Chairmen and traders across the various unions, including Mr. Ferdinand Ukoh, Mr. Evaristus Ejezie, Mr. Nonso Ezeudogu and Brother Chigozie Nwafor, described the market as thriving and appealed to traders still operating outside the permanent site to relocate.
A tour of the facility showed traders loading and offloading iron rods and other building materials, while many of the more than 7,000 shops were occupied.
The market, which occupies about 1,233 plots of land, also provides convenience facilities for traders and customers.
The traders, however, maintained that the provision of asphalted access roads and improved entrance gates would be critical to attracting more customers, easing movement of heavy-duty vehicles and positioning the facility as a major international building materials market.
