Nteje Building Materials Traders Appeal for Access Roads, Urge Full Relocation
By Njide Ezeonyejiaku
Traders at the Allied Building Materials International Market, Nteje, popularly known as Ogbo Rod, have appealed to the Anambra State Government to provide access roads to the market and enforce the relocation of iron dealers from the streets to their permanent site.
The appeal was made during a press briefing at the new market along the Enugu Onitsha Expressway, Nteje, where the traders said poor road access remains their major challenge despite the completion and occupation of the permanent site.
The President General of the market, Hon. Ignatius Ejike, said traders had moved from rented shops and roadside locations around Atani Road, Port Harcourt Road, Uga Street and Bridge Head Market, Onitsha, to the permanent site since February 2025.
He said the market comprises eight unions dealing in iron, steel pipes, plastic tanks, PVC pipes and other building materials, with facilities designed to allow heavy duty vehicles to load and offload with ease.
According to him, the market also has central overhead water tanks for the different unions, while the entire facility was developed to international standards.
Hon. Ejike, however, said some traders were yet to comply with the government’s relocation directive, urging the state government to ensure full compliance while also providing quality access roads to 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, and appealed to members still operating elsewhere to return and join the eight unions in building the market into a major destination for iron and other building materials.
Another stakeholder, Chief Ignatius Agbalizu, described the market’s location as strategic, noting its proximity to the Federal Housing Estate, University on the Niger and Umueri Airport.
He disclosed that the unions had approved a five percent discount for customers from September 8 to December 31, 2026, as part of efforts to attract more patronage.
Chairmen and traders across the unions, including Mr. Ferdinand Ukoh, Mr. Evaristus Ejezie, Mr. Nonso Ezeudogu and Bro. Chigozie Nwafor, said the market was thriving and appealed to members still operating outside the permanent site to return.
A tour of the facility showed traders loading and offloading iron rods and other building materials, with many of the more than 7,000 shops occupied.
The market, built on about 1,233 plots of land, has also provided convenience facilities for traders and customers. However, the traders said asphalted access roads and improved entrance gates are urgently needed to unlock the full potential of the facility as an international building materials market.
