Onitsha port, power, rail, second Niger bridge: South-East traders set demands for ADC

Stanley Ihedigbo

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, traders and market women across the South-East are demanding a clear development blueprint from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with emphasis on economic growth, infrastructure and improved livelihoods.

The traders, who said they represent markets in Onitsha, Aba, Nnewi, Enugu, Owerri and Abakaliki, declared that the South-East should no longer be expected to mobilise politically without corresponding commitments to infrastructure, jobs and economic development.

In an open letter to the ADC, the traders said: “Since 1999, the South-East has voted with loyalty. But what have we carried home? Abandoned projects and empty promises.”

The group, identified as the Goodluck Nigeria Movement, said it has more than 1,000 traders and market women drawn from Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Market and Head Bridge, among others.

The group’s National Coordinator, Emma Umerah, was identified as one of those coordinating the mobilisation.

The traders said they had joined the ADC because of what they described as the party’s message that “loyalty is remembered and sacrifice is respected.”

They, however, said their support for the party would be based on concrete development commitments rather than party slogans.

“We are mobilising the South-East markets for Atiku Abubakar and ADC in 2027. But we will not mobilise for just a party flag. We will mobilise for a South-East Project Charter,” the group said.

The traders subsequently presented what they described as five non-negotiable development demands for the region.

Revive Onitsha River Port and expand inland water transport

The traders called for the immediate revival of commercial activities at the Onitsha River Port, including dredging and improved navigation on the River Niger.

They also proposed the commencement of barge services linking Lagos and Port Harcourt with Onitsha to facilitate the movement of goods.

The group argued that efficient inland water transportation could reduce pressure on roads and improve the movement of goods into the commercial heartland of the South-East.

The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) currently lists an Onitsha River Port facility and an Onitsha Area Office, while the authority says it is working to strengthen inland waterways as part of Nigeria’s transportation system.

24-hour electricity for Aba and Nnewi industrial clusters

The traders demanded dedicated and reliable electricity for the Aba and Nnewi industrial clusters, arguing that manufacturers and small businesses cannot achieve their full potential without dependable power.

“Aba makes shoes for Africa, but has no reliable electricity. Nnewi makes motors, but has inadequate roads to move them to markets,” they said.

The group maintained that providing dependable power to industrial clusters would strengthen local manufacturing, create employment and reduce the economic pressures contributing to youth unemployment.

Complete the Eastern railway corridor

The traders also demanded accelerated completion of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri railway corridor, with effective connections serving Aba, Enugu, Onitsha and other major commercial centres.

They said goods moving from the Port Harcourt axis should be able to reach markets in the South-East and onward to other parts of the country by rail.

Federal transportation records have previously identified the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri railway as part of the Eastern rail corridor, with rehabilitation and modernization works planned along the route.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation has also described rail as an important means of moving bulk goods between ports and inland markets.

Complete access roads around the Second Niger Bridge

The traders called for the completion and improvement of access roads connecting the Second Niger Bridge with major commercial and industrial areas, particularly around Obosi and the Asaba axis.

“The bridge without access roads is like a car without tyres,” the group said, stressing that major infrastructure should be connected to the industrial and commercial communities it is intended to serve.

They argued that better road connections would improve the movement of goods between the South-East, South-South and other parts of Nigeria.

Create a comprehensive South-East industrial and youth development programme

The traders also called for deliberate support for manufacturers, artisans, technology entrepreneurs and young people across the region.

They said young Nigerians in the South-East were increasingly involved in technology, phone repairs, manufacturing and other skilled trades but needed access to infrastructure, finance, training and markets.

According to the group, supporting these businesses should form part of a broader strategy to create employment and reduce insecurity.

‘We are ready to mobilise’

The traders said they were prepared to mobilise their markets and communities ahead of the 2027 elections, but insisted that political mobilisation must be tied to measurable development commitments.

“We are ready to close our shops for Atiku and ADC. Our market women will deliver, and our youths will also deliver street votes,” they said.

They nevertheless stressed that their mobilisation would be based on a written development charter containing specific commitments and implementation timelines.

“South-East has voted with loyalty. Now we demand projects,” the traders declared.

They urged the ADC leadership and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to engage directly with market leaders, manufacturers, youth groups and other stakeholders in the region and translate the demands into a formal development agenda.

The traders said their objective was not merely to support a political party, but to secure concrete economic opportunities and infrastructure that would benefit the South-East and contribute to Nigeria’s wider economic development.