By Sydney Nweze

In a move to boost the local economy and elevate the commercial status of the LGA, the Executive Chairman of Igbo-Eze North, Hon Michael Uche Ogalla, has embarked on a comprehensive upgrade of Eke-Ozzi Main Market to Ozzi International Market.

With completion expected in just six months, the transformation promises to deliver a wide range of benefits for traders, consumers, and the general public.

The Eke-Ozzi Main Market upgrade is more than a facelift. It is a deliberate strategy by the Mayor of Igbo-Eze North, Hon Ogalla, to position Ozzi Main Market as one of the commercial hubs of the Southeast.
This aligns with his vision of empowerment and economic growth.

“We are not just renovating a market,” the Mayor said. “We are building a modern centre of commerce that will create jobs, attract investment, and put the LGA on the commercial map.
In addition, all other markets will have public toilets constructed and completed this month of May, 2025.”

Once the new Ozzi International Market is completed, it will boast of;
Modern stalls and lock-up shops with adequate ventilation and sanitation.

Parking lots and improved access roads that will facilitate the easy movement of goods and services.

There will also be water supply, drainage, waste management systems, and convenience corners to ensure compliance with WASH standards.

Security systems and surveillance cameras, along with digital infrastructure, including Wi-Fi and solar-powered lights, will further enhance the market.

The benefits of the upgrade are expected to be enormous.
From increased trade volume that will attract more merchants from within and outside Enugu State, to the rise in internally generated revenue (IGR) for the LGA, which will fund more developmental projects in health, education, and infrastructure.

In the same vein, markets like Orie Ugbelle Market, Ette, and Nkwo-Arji Market, Umuopu, according to the Mayor, shall receive his immediate attention, and shall be restructured with critical facilities like Abattoirs, boreholes, water reticulation facilities, security posts and public toilets.

Mayor Ogalla means business when it comes to the commerce and economic growth of the LGA.
It is worth recalling that in February 2025, in a bid to make it easier for youths to start businesses of their choice, he banned all market unions in Igbo-Eze North from placing difficult entry barriers for startups.

As Mayor Ogalla continues to drive forward his transformative projects, the Ozzi International Market, his signature project, stands tall as a symbol of innovation, a vibrant marketplace where local dreams connect to global opportunities.