There was jubilation on Thursday by traders in Ikot Ntung market, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, following the commencement of construction of the the market by an illustrious son of the community, Engr. (Dr.) Emem Samuel Coffie, COREN, FNICE, FIMC, FICEN, FIMS.
Our reporter observed that, the moment Engr Coffie, who is the Governorship candidate of ACCORD in the State, was sighted, the entire market came alive as traders, buyers and passersby, temporarily abandoned their businesses and were singing various solidarity songs for their son, who came with his wife, Mrs Mercy Coffie alongside top echelons of his party, to lay the foundation for the construction of the market.
The joy in the market was palpable as Mrs Coffie, alongside the deputy governorship candidate, Evang (Dr) Love Charles Archihong, among others, used the occasion to empower the entire market women with cash to boost their businesses.
Laying the foundation for the construction of a modern market with state of the art facilities, Engr Coffie noted that the gesture was without any iota of politics and selfish reason. He said the plight of the market women whenever it rains was unbearable as there was neither a structure nor roof in the market to cover them let alone a convenience.
He promised to complete the construction within the shortest time possible so as to end the decades of problems faced by the market women.
Speaker after speaker, took turns to extol the virtues of Engr. Emem Coffie for all his good works not just in Ikot Ntung and Nsit Ubium where he hails from, but entire State.
Mrs. Arit Okon Ekpenyong, a water leaf seller, said, when completed, traders will have the joy to display their goods in a decent environment which will help them expand their businesses and make additional profits. She commended their son, Coffie, for being the only one to find practical solutions for their plights.
A grain seller, Ikwo Edet, said that when completed, the new market would enable traders to own shops to display their wares. The gesture, she said, would protect traders against losses especially during raining season due to lack of shops to stock their goods.
Her words: “Personally, I am delighted with the plans our brother and wife have for the traders in Ikot Ntung and we pray God to bless them abundantly. For me and my household, we will vote for him because this is the kind of Governor we need.”
Madam Bessie Akpan, a 61 year old fish seller who could not hide her emotions after receiving the sum of N20,000 to boost her business from the wife of the governorship candidate, chanted various solidarity songs and prayed God to bless Coffie and family.
“I am very happy to be favoured by God today, through one of our sons and his beloved wife. On behalf of the over eighty (80) market women who benefited from the empowerment, I say may God bless them and make Engr Coffie the governor of Akwa Ibom State because he has proven beyond doubt that he is the best.
“I am saying so because everyone including the government had abandoned us, but Engr Emem Coffie came to our rescue. Today, our traders are very happy and we promise to ensure effective utilisation of the facilities he will provide in the market for us. All of us will also use the money to expand our businesses.”
High points of the event were laying of foundation for the construction of the modern market and empowerment of over eighty traders at Ikot Ntung market.
