The document discusses a plan to decongest commercial markets in a town by relocating four existing markets to new sites on the outskirts and developing the vacated sites. The existing markets are overcrowded and cause environmental pollution due to waste and flooding. The plan aims to finance the construction of new markets and housing through public-private partnerships leveraging $2.5 billion from the World Bank. Reforms are needed to strengthen the business environment, encourage private sector participation, and unlock financing for infrastructure and SME development.

1. TOPIC
Decongesting a Commercial Nerve Center
(Aba)

2. The problem?
Congestion
Environmental Pollution

3. The Plan
 Construction of 4 new ultra-modern markets
on the outskirts of the town.
 Relocation of the existing 4 main markets
[Ariaria International Market, Ahia Ohuru
Market (New Market), Eziukwu Road Market
and Eke Oha Main Market], which are located
at the heart of the town, to this new sites.

4. The Plan
 Developing a modern recreational park at one
of the vacated sites and;
 Construction of modern, low-cost housing
estates at the other three.

5. Why the Relocation?
Man, wares,
vehicles and
refuse
dumps fight
for space.
Photo:
thenationonline.co
m

6. Why the Relocation?
Residential
houses
converted to
shops.
Photo: the
author

7. Why the Relocation?
More
residential
houses-turn
shops.
Ekeoha
Market to
the left,
residential
houses to
the right.
Photo: the
author

8. Why the Relocation?
Congestion.
The scene
on a typical
busy day at
Ahia Ohuru
Market in the
dry season.
Photo:
nairaland.com

9. Why the Relocation?
The
indiscriminat
e waste
disposal and
the
attendant
health
hazard to
residents.
Photo:
naij.com

10. Why the Relocation?
Then the
flooding at
Ariaria
International
Market.
Photo:
thenationonline.com

11. Why the Relocation?
And more
flooding.
Photo:
thenationonline.co
m

12. Why the Relocation?
 Poor market layout
 Makeshift buildings
 Limited available shops
 Poor access roads
 Incessant flooding and
thus;
 Low patronage which
leads to;
 Low domestic resource
mobilization for the state.
 Overpopulation
 Excess pressure on
public utilities
 Conversion of
residential buildings to
shops
 Human and vehicular
traffic congestion
 Environmental pollution
from indiscriminate
waste disposal.
Challenges in the market
The social cost of the markets’
present location

13. The Target Audience
 The Government
 Official Aid Providers (The WBG)
 The Private Sector (Investors and Financial
Institutions)
 The General Public

14. Reasons for Participation?
 The Government  To increase the
tax/revenue base
 To mitigate
environmental pollution
 To increase welfare and
reduce extreme poverty
 To promote commerce
and entrepreneurship
 To reduce
unemployment and
social vices
 For good governance
and infrastructural
development

15. Reasons for Participation
 Official Aid provider
(The WBG)
 To promote
responsible and
good governance
 To assist in
unlocking other
sources of funds
 To help deliver
global public goods
 To assist
governments
achieve the SDGs
and end extreme

16. Reasons for Participation
 The Private Sector  Profit maximization
 Portfolio
diversification and;
 To augment public
sector capacity by
contributing
expertise, efficiency
and innovation

17. Reasons for Participation
 The General Public  Higher patronage for
their products and
wares
 Higher standard of
living
 Higher economic
status and;
 Improved healthy
environment

18. Obstacles to Unlocking Financial
Opportunities
 Large informal sector
 Poor access to finance by businesses
 Weak regulatory environment
 Weak financial sector
 Large public deficits
 Poor tax administration and narrow tax base
 Corruption.
 Infrastructural bottlenecks

19. Financing the Project and
overcoming the obstacles
 The expected
assistance from the
WBGs IDA PSW is
capped at $2.5b (IDA,
2016). It can be
leveraged by the state
government to unlock
transformative
infrastructure and
public- private
partnership (PPP)
investments through;
 The creation of an
enabling environment
for private sector
participation in
developmental
objectives by:
 Reforming the tax
administration,
 Reforming the state’s
land use act

20. Financing the Project
 The state;  Reforming the legal
system to ensure the
enforcement and
protection of property
rights and prosecution
of corrupt public
officials.
 Developing
infrastructure in order
to bring down the cost
per unit of output for
private investors

21. Financing the Project
 The State;  Encouraging
businesses and
SMEs to register
their business with
the relevant
authorities for easy
access to micro-
credit facilities
 Strengthening
financial institutions
to be able to
advance long-term
loans to the private

22. Financing the Project
 The $2.5b IDA PSW
fund can also be
leveraged by the
WBG through its
International Finance
Corporation (IFC) and
Multilateral
Investment
Guarantee Agency
(MIGA) to unlock
private sector funds
through;
 Issuing risk-mitigation
guarantees
 Making
complimentary
investments or;
 Directly investing in
the private sector at
the project level
through joint, parallel
or sequenced
financing and
complimentary risk-
sharing.

23. Finally
The Market
ought to look
like this
Photo credit:
nairaland.co
m

24. Finally
Instead of
this.
Photo credit: the
nationonline.co
m