IKOT EKPENE INT’L MARKET: GOV ENO’S GATEWAY TO REGIONAL COMMERCE

BY SOLOMON ESSIET

To many, the ongoing construction of the International Market in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area may appear to be just another project. It is far more than that. To
the people and leaders of the area, however, it is the realisation of a vision conceived more than a decade ago.

More importantly, it is a strategic investment that will position Ikot Ekpene as a gateway to regional commerce and one of the leading trading destinations in Akwa Ibom State.

The idea of establishing an international market in Ikot Ekpene dates back to 2011. According to Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, one of the foremost political leaders in the area, the market was conceived to serve the Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, the wider senatorial district, and the entire state.

The proposal was formally presented to former Gov. Godswill Akpabio and subsequently adopted as a major development initiative. Following extensive consultations and planning, a suitable location was identified along the Calabar–Itu Road, covering the communities of Ibiakpan, Utu Ikot Essien, and Utu Ikot Ekpenyong. For years, leaders of the area sustained the campaign for the project, convinced that an international market would unlock the enormous commercial potential of Ikot Ekpene. Their conviction was based on the town’s strategic location and long-standing reputation as one of the state’s foremost centres of trade and enterprise.

The project later gained renewed momentum with the coming of Gov. Umo Eno. During the 2023 electioneering campaign, stakeholders again presented the proposal to him. He pledged to bring the vision to reality and has since demonstrated that commitment through the commencement of construction work.

Today, the project is steadily taking shape.
Speaking with Mr. Timothy Inyang, Village Council Chairman of Utu Ikot Ekpenyong, he expressed satisfaction with the progress of work and the peaceful relationship between the host communities and government. He described the market as a welcome development that will attract investment, create employment opportunities, and accelerate growth in the area.

According to him, the host communities stand to benefit immensely from the economic activities the market will generate when completed.The state government has described the project as an ultra-modern international market designed to provide a safe, organised, and conducive environment for business.

Beyond addressing infrastructure challenges faced by traders, the market is expected to serve as a major commercial hub linking Akwa Ibom with neighbouring states and regional markets.
Its strategic location is one of its greatest advantages. Situated within easy reach of major highways connecting Akwa Ibom to Cross River, Abia, Rivers, and other parts of the South-South and South-East regions, the market is expected to facilitate the movement of goods, services, and people across a broad economic corridor.

With modern stalls, warehouses, loading bays, access roads, and other supporting facilities, the market is being developed to accommodate large-scale commercial activities. It is expected to attract traders, manufacturers, distributors, transporters, and investors from across the region.

One of the immediate benefits of the project is employment generation. Hundreds of youths are already benefitting from construction-related jobs, while thousands more are expected to find opportunities in trading, transportation, logistics, warehousing, and other support services when the market becomes operational.

For local businesses, the market promises increased patronage and wider access to customers. For farmers, manufacturers, and wholesalers, it will provide a reliable outlet for goods and products.

For households, it will create new sources of income and improve livelihoods. Beyond Ikot Ekpene, the market has the potential to reshape the commercial landscape of Akwa Ibom State. As a regional trading hub, it will strengthen the state’s position within the South-South economy, attract private investments, and enhance the movement of goods across state boundaries.

When completed, the International Market will stand not only as a fulfilment of a long-held aspiration, but also as a catalyst for economic transformation. It is poised to emerge as a gateway to regional commerce, connecting markets, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth for generations to come.

Essiet writes from Ikot Ekpene.