Governor Monday Okpebholo promises Edo traders free initial shop allocation at renovated Oba Market to help businesses recover and resume trading

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has promised traders free initial shop allocations at the renovated Oba Market in Benin City, Edo State, as part of efforts to help businesses resume operations after years of disruption caused by fire outbreaks and reconstruction work.

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Okpebholo announced the arrangement on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, during an inspection of ongoing development projects across the state, accompanied by journalists.

His Chief Press Secretary, Patrick Ebojele, disclosed the governor’s remarks in an official statement.

The governor explained that traders would not be charged for their initial access to the renovated market, although payments would be introduced after the initial period.

“Just as we came in to start building, we promised them that it was going to be free. The initial access has to be free,” Okpebholo said.

The promise is intended to ease the financial burden on traders who have faced prolonged uncertainty while the market undergoes rehabilitation and remodelling.

The Oba Market has a long history of commercial activity in Benin City and is an important trading centre for residents and business owners in Edo State.

However, its operations have been disrupted by successive fire incidents and prolonged reconstruction.

A major fire on June 22, 2020, destroyed a substantial section of the market, with traders losing goods worth millions of naira.

The incident prompted the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki to establish an investigative committee to determine the cause of the disaster and recommend measures for assisting affected traders.

The market experienced another fire incident in October 2025 while reconstruction was still ongoing.

However, the reported damage was limited to one shop, with firefighters and security personnel preventing the fire from spreading to other sections.

The incident raised fresh concerns about fire prevention, particularly the installation of solar panels and the condition of electrical wiring within the market.

Okpebholo’s latest announcement builds on an earlier commitment made during an inspection of the reconstructed market in May 2026, when he assured former occupants that shops would be returned to eligible traders without allocation charges.

The latest clarification, however, indicates that the free access arrangement will apply only during an initial period, after which traders will be expected to pay.

The governor did not specify how long the free period would last or the payment structure that would subsequently apply.

According to the governor, the market has two major sections. One had remained undeveloped for approximately 11 to 12 years, while the other required remodelling.

To minimise further disruption, traders currently operating in the section undergoing rehabilitation will temporarily relocate to the completed section.

They are expected to return to their original locations when construction work on the remaining section is finished.

The first phase of the rehabilitation has also provided facilities including a crèche, clinic, water supply and fire service infrastructure.

These additions are intended to improve conditions for traders, their families and customers visiting the market.

The completed phase is expected to accommodate approximately 900 trading spaces, comprising 500 lock-up shops and 400 open stalls.

Beyond the market redevelopment, the governor’s inspection tour included the New Edo Line, Oredo Girls Secondary School and Army Day Senior Secondary School, reflecting the administration’s wider infrastructure programme.

At Oredo Girls Secondary School, the principal, Adesuwa Uwaifo, commended the state government for renovating the institution, recalling the difficult conditions previously experienced by teachers and students.

At Army Day Senior Secondary School in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, said the government provided essential facilities within 21 days.

The improvements included a perimeter fence, water supply, toilets, solar-powered electricity, modern marker boards and new classroom furniture.

Afegbua said students who left for the Easter holiday returned to find a substantially transformed learning environment.

For traders at Oba Market, however, the immediate concern remains the opportunity to return to business after years of disruption and financial uncertainty.

While the promise of free initial shop allocation offers some relief, the duration of the arrangement, transparent allocation of trading spaces and long-term maintenance of the facilities will be important in determining how beneficial the intervention becomes.

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The success of the rehabilitation will ultimately depend on whether the market can provide a safe, accessible and sustainable environment where traders can rebuild their businesses without facing another prolonged interruption.