Governor Alex Otti has directed that original shop owners of the remodeled A-line of Ariaria International Market, should be given the first right of refusal in the remodeled market.

The Governor said he got complaints from some of the original shop owners that the contractor was trying to sell their shops to money bags.

Gov. Otti who spoke with newsmen in Umuahia said he would not allow the original shop owners at the market to be shortchanged for any reason.

He said that he was told there were about 4000 shops originally but there would be additional 1000 shops after the remodelling.

The Governor insisted that justice demands that the original shop owners should be given the first right of refusal before new persons would be allowed to buy.

Otti further promised that if any original shop owner were unable to afford the cost of the remodeled shops, Government would assist in negotiating a loan with any willing commercial bank to help out the affected traders.

He, however, added that there must be evidence that the affected traders do not truly have the financial capacity to pay for the new shops.

Gov. Otti said that a repayment plan had to be worked out with the willing financial institutions.

God bless Abia state.