Between Development and Livelihood - Inside Ebonyi’s Nworie Market Renewal
By Ewa Nkechinyere
In the quiet agrarian stretch of Ishieke in Ebonyi North, the bustle around Nworie Market in Isiophumini Ishieke, Mbeke Autonomous Community, Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State Mbeke Ishieke has long symbolised more than commerce.
It is where farmers meet traders, where families earn daily bread, and where community bonds are strengthened.
But in recent weeks, the market has also become the centre of tension a test of how development can proceed without disrupting livelihoods.
The government has moved to forestall what officials described as looming danger arising from the state’s decision to upgrade the market into a modern facility. The intervention followed concerns triggered by demolition activities that reportedly began two weeks ago.
A Marathon Meeting for Peace
To calm frayed nerves, a tripartite meeting involving state officials, local government authorities, community leaders, and stakeholders was convened on February 15, 2026, at Mbeke Iseke Primary School.
Presiding over the meeting, the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Mathias Adum, delivered a message said to be in line with the directive of Governor .
“The governor said there should be no crisis anywhere in Izzi land. Ishieke people should not allow development to bring crisis into their community,” Adum stated, urging residents to give development a chance for the sake of future generations.
The meeting, which stretched late into the night, ended with a communique presented by Prof. Awo Nwobashi, Commissioner for Border Peace and Conflict Resolution.
Community Backs Project With Assurances
In a unanimous resolution, stakeholders commended the state government for its development strides and welcomed the ongoing market upgrade. They also commended the distinguished senator representing Ebonyi North for attracting projects to the district.
However, at the heart of the agreement was a crucial assurance:
All property and shop owners are guaranteed that they will regain their shops after the redevelopment of the market.
This pledge appeared to address the core anxiety among traders whose structures were affected by demolition.
The resolution further urged the 13-man committee headed by Apostle Benjamin Obaji to submit its report within one week to ensure that due process guides the project moving forward.
“Let the Proper Thing Be Done”
Chairman of Ebonyi Local Government Area, Barr. Chinedu Uburu, emphasised that while development was inevitable, procedure must not be compromised.
“There is no way the market development will not go on, but let the proper thing be done,” he said.
Uburu disclosed that the Ministry of Lands had carried out evaluation and documentation of affected shops. According to him, every shop owner duly profiled before the commencement of the project would have their shop returned upon completion.
He also clarified that he did not authorise any demolition and that a fact-finding effort was underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the destruction of structures.
Due Process or Disconnect?
The Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Matthew Nwaobashi, maintained that all acquisition procedures were followed.
“The state, in its wisdom, took all the processes required by acquisition of the land for the market. Notification was given, enumeration carried out, and due process followed,” he explained.
On compensation concerns, Nwaobashi assured that all rightful interests of shop and property owners would be legally protected. He also dismissed knowledge of any petition submitted to his ministry regarding the project.
Yet, some community members insist compensation has not been paid despite enumeration being conducted. They have called for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the government, developers, and shop owners to clarify obligations and timelines.
The Committee’s Task
Apostle Benjamin Obaji, chairman of the 13-man committee, confirmed that the committee had verified the number of shops but had yet to meet directly with shop owners. The official report, he said, would soon be ready.
The contractor, reportedly handling the project as a federal government initiative in collaboration with the state Ministry of Lands, stated that shop owners had been profiled before commencement.
Still, for many traders, profiling without clear communication has deepened uncertainty.
Development at a Crossroads
For residents like Goddy Ogbaga, the debate is not about rejecting progress but about ensuring fairness.
“Development is very important to the community; therefore everybody should support it,” he said echoing a sentiment widely shared, though cautiously expressed.
The Nworie Market upgrade illustrates a broader challenge facing rapidly developing communities: how to modernise infrastructure while protecting grassroots livelihoods.
For the Ebonyi State Government, the path forward appears clear dialogue, transparency, and the honouring of commitments made at the negotiating table.
For the traders of Isiophumini Ishieke, Mbeke Autonomous Community, Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi Stateh the ultimate measure of success will not just be a modern market structure, but the fulfillment of one simple promise: that when the dust settles, they will return to the shops that sustain their families.
