Ekwulobia Transformation: Soludo Commissions 510 Shops for Petty Traders, Completes Flyover Project [VIDEO]

 

In a remarkable push toward infrastructural development and inclusive economic empowerment, the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has completed the construction of 510 shops at Ekwulobia, a major commercial hub in the southern part of the state. The shops, targeted at petty traders and informal business operators, are part of a broader urban regeneration plan currently being championed by the Soludo-led administration.

In addition to this, the much-anticipated flyover project in Ekwulobia, which had been under construction for months, has now been fully completed, easing traffic congestion and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the area.

The newly completed market facility is situated strategically under and around the Ekwulobia flyover and is designed to accommodate traders who were previously loading and operating in chaotic, unstructured spaces. Many of these traders had endured years of hustle under makeshift stalls, competing with vehicles and pedestrians in dangerous, overcrowded conditions. With the new facility in place, the area now boasts organized commercial space, improved traffic flow, and a safer environment for both buyers and sellers.

Speaking during the project’s unveiling, Governor Soludo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to turning Anambra into a livable and prosperous homeland. According to him, infrastructural renewal goes beyond building roads and flyovers—it must also reflect a deliberate effort to integrate all segments of society into the economic framework, particularly those at the base of the pyramid.

“These 510 shops were not built just for the sake of numbers. They were designed to restore dignity to our traders and give them a structured and secure environment to operate in. This is what it means to build a smart megacity—where everyone, not just the elite, is part of the growth story,” the governor said.

The Ekwulobia flyover itself has quickly become a landmark in the area, symbolizing not just the state’s infrastructural evolution but also the government’s focus on decongesting traffic chokepoints in growing urban centers. The flyover now facilitates seamless movement through the once notoriously gridlocked junction, providing a relief to both local residents and travelers from neighboring communities.

Stakeholders in the area have lauded the initiative. Mrs. Chinyere Okoye, a fruit seller who was recently allocated one of the shops, expressed gratitude to the government, calling it a “dream come true.”

“For over ten years, I’ve been selling by the roadside, always scared of government officials or accidents. Today, I have a proper shop with shade, security, and customers who now walk in without fear. I thank Governor Soludo,” she said with emotion.

Other beneficiaries echoed similar sentiments, praising the administration for its inclusive governance approach. Business leaders in the area have also noted the potential of the development to attract further investment and commercial activities to Ekwulobia.

Urban planning experts have applauded the governor’s integration of transportation and commerce in a single project. By situating market infrastructure alongside a major transit corridor, the project is expected to serve as a model for future developments across the state and beyond.

This initiative is just one of many under Governor Soludo’s broader “Solution Agenda,” which focuses on infrastructure, human capital development, and economic inclusion as pillars of a modern Anambra State.

As the flyover and the newly completed shops become operational, the transformation of Ekwulobia is now tangible—a testament to what deliberate governance and visionary planning can achieve in the heart of southeastern Nigeria.