BENIN: After nearly a decade of neglect following a devastating fire, the historic Oba Market in Benin City is finally on its way back to life, with Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, setting a completion date of June 2026 for its full reconstruction.
The governor, accompanied by senior members of his administration, on Wednesday inspected the ongoing remodeling works at the market.
Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Fred Itua in a statement said Senator Okpebholo was greeted with cheers from jubilant traders who expressed relief that his administration had moved to fulfill a long-standing promise left unachieved by the previous government.
Addressing the traders, Okpebholo reaffirmed his commitment to his campaign pledges, stressing that the reconstruction aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which has provided critical support for state-driven development projects.
“This market has remained in ruins for the past ten years. During my campaign, I promised the people that if elected, I would rebuild the Oba Market. Today, I am fulfilling that promise. Leaders must keep their word. This project will restore businesses and transform the market into a modern commercial hub”, the governor said.
Okpebholo disclosed that the redesigned market would mirror a modern shopping mall, featuring open stalls, lock-up shops, restaurants, a crèche, a sick bay and a mini fire station to guard against future disasters.
He also assured that original occupants would not be displaced but instead provided with a safer and more functional trading environment.
“The money being spent belongs to Edo people, and it is only right that it serves their welfare,” he added, promising that contractors would be held accountable for timely delivery.
Project Manager, Mr Aneru Izuagbe, who briefed the governor during the inspection, said the reconstruction is designed to blend safety, convenience, and modernity.
According to him, the ground floor will host 450 open stalls, while upper floors will provide lock-up shops for various categories of traders, including electronics and fashion dealers.
He noted that the project, expected to last 251 days, is scheduled for completion by June 2026, though efforts are underway to deliver ahead of time.
“We are not just rebuilding Oba Market; we are remodeling it into a mall-like complex that will serve traders and buyers with modern facilities,” Izuagbe said.
For traders in Benin City, the sight of heavy machinery and ongoing construction has rekindled hope that the market — once the heartbeat of commerce in Edo State — will soon roar back to life.
