The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo is reconstructing major markets across the state as part of efforts to revive commercial activities in trading centers that have been abandoned or underutilised for years.

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Akhere Ebojele, who disclosed this in an interview, said the projects were part of the infrastructure pillar of the administration’s SHINE Agenda, adding that they were intended to restore commercial facilities that had deteriorated over time.

On the Oba Market in Benin City, which was abandoned after being fitted by fire, Ebojele said the redesigned market has more than 450 open stalls on the ground floor, with lock-up shops and commercial spaces on the upper floors.

“The market includes modern facilities—restaurants, a crèche, a sick bay, and a fire station. Original traders and previous occupants have been given free shop allocations. This isn’t just about rebuilding. It’s about restoring livelihoods,” he said.

Ebojele said the reconstruction was designed to address traders’ needs and improve safety and convenience within the market.

Commending the Governor’s foresight, he added that the initiative extends to other parts of the state, with the Irrua Ultra-Modern Market in Esan Central, the Ekpoma Modern Market in Esan West and the Jattu Modern Market in Edo North also under reconstruction.

“The Irrua market is designed to accommodate 700 lock-up shops, while more than 20 shops have already been reconstructed at the POWA Shopping Complex, which was also gutted by fire and reconstructed by the governor”.

“When you lose a market for ten years, you lose more than buildings. You lose the trader’s capital, the community’s commercial identity. These projects are about getting traders back into proper spaces where they can actually grow their businesses,” he said.

He added that the projects will help promote balanced development across Edo’s three senatorial districts, particularly in areas where commercial infrastructure had been neglected.

“Edo North has been overlooked for too long on infrastructure. The governor made a commitment to ensure that development wasn’t concentrated in Benin or the South. Jattu Market is part of keeping that commitment,” Ebojele said.