Fubara assures completion of Creek road market by January 2027

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has assured residents that the Creek Road Market under construction in Port Harcourt will be completed by January 2027 to facilitate the relocation of street traders and restore the free flow of traffic along the road.

Fubara gave the assurance on Friday during an inspection of the market project, following a meeting with SETRACO, the construction firm handling the resurfacing of roads in the old Port Harcourt Township.

The governor said SETRACO had identified the Creek Road axis as a major hindrance to its road rehabilitation work because traders had occupied much of the road, making it difficult for the contractor to carry out the project.

He explained that relocating the traders to the new market was necessary to enable the contractor to complete the road resurfacing successfully.

Despite the challenges encountered since the commencement of the market project, Fubara expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, commending the contractor for the progress made so far.

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He disclosed that the first phase of the market comprised about 700 stalls and shops across the wet and dry sections, which he said would accommodate most of the women trading along Creek Road.

The governor assured the contractor that the state government would fulfil its obligations to ensure the timely completion of the project, including addressing funding concerns raised by the firm.

Fubara said the market project was not merely intended to provide trading spaces but also to restore order, cleanliness and a healthy environment in the old Port Harcourt Township.

He lamented that the poor state of the existing market had forced traders onto the streets, turning Creek Road and adjoining streets into open markets.

According to him, street trading, overcrowding and poor sanitation could expose residents to environmental and health hazards.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of Rivers residents, expressing satisfaction that the project would help restore the old Port Harcourt Township to its cherished status as a clean and orderly city.

He added that the project was particularly important to elderly and long-standing residents of the area, who deserved to live in a cleaner and more organised environment.