It was a moment of celebration for traders, tearful joy for buyers, giddy dance steps in the order of ancient tradition for the women, cheerful embrace for other stakeholders as onlookers and passersby were rooted to the ground in awe of a new phenomenon: installation of streetlights sponsored by Senator Austin Akobundu at the popular Ahiaukwu market in Olokoro, Umuahia South LGA of Abia State.
Olokoro is a major town in Umuahia with a large population of people from all walks of life who live and do business there. A good number of the indigenes and residents who also work and have their businesses in Umuahia city centre are usually seen returning home late in the evening by which time trading activities have ended in Ahiaukwu market, thereby leaving many who might want to purchase items at that time stranded. Traders also close shop before nightfall as darkness begins to envelope the land. There is therefore a limited time for trading and its consequent loss of income to traders and business owners.
But all that is now in the past as solar-powered streetlights sponsored by Senator Austin Akobundu of Abia Central Senatorial District have been installed in the market eliciting joy from all concerned.
Apart from extending trading time in the market with its attendant advantages of more sales and higher profits for traders, and availability of items to late buyers, the newly installed streetlights enhance security and aesthetics of the market and its environs.
Recall that Senator Akobundu in continuation of his “Light Up the Market Initiative” across the six LGAs that constitute Abia Central Senatorial District had earlier sponsored the installation of solar-powered streetlights in Apumiri market in Ubakala, Umuahia South LGA, Obikabia market in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, Ahiaeke market in Umuahia North LGA, and Ariam market in Ikwuano LGA with several others in the offing.
Like Senator Akobundu declared recently, “This is just the beginning.”