In ensuring that Ndi-Enugu did not find it difficult in this Christmas season, the Enugu State Government, led by Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has unveiled a marketplace for affordable and quality products at the Enugu State Marketing Company Limited which would connect both the producers of all kind products with the buyers.
The emergence of this platform in which people are to smile home with quality and affordable products known as “AFIA UTUTU MARKET FAIR” was initiated to cushion the effects of high-rate prices of goods and services as they increased on daily bases.
Addressing journalists in his office, the General Manager (GM) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Enugu State Marketing Company, Engr. Mike Ogbuekwe, stated that creating “AFIA UTUTU MARKET FAIR” was in line with the vision of His Excellency, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to add to the growth of the economy of Enugu State.
He said, “it is a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of the Enugu State Marketing Company that creates a platform for the producers and buyers.”
A marketplace where, “Enugu people that have products, businesses they want to sell to the world can come and showcase their products and people that want to buy products can as well come and buy. So, it’s a marketplace that we have created to support businesses in Enugu and continue to grow the economy of Enugu State as in line with the manifesto of the Governor of Enugu State (Dr. Peter Mbah).
“So, we have a vision to be a foremost regional commodity marketplace that connects people together. And we have a mission of creating a marketplace that efficiently connects the producers and consumers. So, this is one of our numerous plans that we have and as well as the individuals to contribute to the growth of the economy of Enugu State.”
On the expected impact from the Marketplace, the GM said that what they had witnessed so far was huge.
“Those who are coming are saying wow this is good! Those who are selling are saying thank you so much ‘I have been selling crayfish nonstop since 7am I came in’. So, it’s a very big opportunity for our people to witness something unique when it comes to buying and selling,” said Engr. Ogbuekwe.
On his part, one of the pioneer marketers, Mr. Martins Chibueze Obute said that one of the reasons for creating the platform was to meet with the demands of the low-income earners. He commended the initiative saying that it was a very good development which was in line with the governor’s agenda. He said the prices of goods were quite affordable.
Lizzy Bright, one of the producers who came with natural pure coconut oil, spices, cereals, flour meals, antioxidant tea concept and many more said that Guinea Meal was a combination of unripe plantain, millet and soybeans which was for swallow food and very good for everybody.
Other products that could be bought from the Mini-Trade Fair are: Rice, Yam, Beans, Palm Oil, Groundnut Oil, Crayfish, Dry Fish, Tomatoes, Cosmetics, Diapers, Fresh Groundnuts, Original Fresh Cashew Nuts, and lots more.
Some buyers, Mr. Innocent Eze, Mrs. Okafor Eunice and others who would not want their names in print said that the ‘Afia Ututu’ has made it easy for them especially this economic trying time in the nation. They commended Governor Peter Mbah for making it possible to have a place for affordable goods.
The management has placed time for transactions in the Afia Ututu Market Fair, which started on Thursday, to be from 9am to 5pm daily at the premises of Enugu State Marketing Company.