Traders kick against plans to bring in Chinese retailers into Ariaria International Market

…Urge Governor Otti to protect local traders’ rights of local traders

There has been widespread speculation that some Chinese traders are planning to set up retail shops at the newly reconstructed popular A-Line section of Ariaria International Market, now known as Ariaria Shopping Plaza.

Though the Chinese are yet to arrive the market, there are speculations that topmost floors of 3-blocks of Ariaria Shopping Plaza have been reserved for the Chinese traders.

A-Line of Ariaria International Market, before it was demolished and reconstructed, hosted patent medicine dealers, dealers on shoes and clothing, among other quality goods.

Consequently, traders in the market have expressed deep concerns and strong opposition to the alleged move by the developer of A-Line, to invite Chinese traders to import finished goods from China and retail within the plaza.

They noted that the development poses grave threats to the livelihoods of thousands of traders, artisans and manufacturers in Aba and across Nigeria and appealed to Governor Alex Otti, to defend the economic rights of the state and uphold the dignity of traders and manufacturers.

They stated that Ariaria International Market has long been recognised as the “China of Africa” and sometimes called “Japan of Africa”, a hub and cluster for indigenous creativity, manufacturing and commerce.

They also noted that allowing the Chinese traders to come into Ariaria, would negate the vision of Governor Alex Otti, in developing the market, as a standard market for showcasing industrialisation, not only in Abia State, but in the whole of Africa, a vision that they also believe in and have been working assiduously to partner with the State Government towards its realisation.

Njoku Ukwu, one of the traders in an interview with BusinessDay said, “We do not know who brought this counter-productive mission that seeks to set back the governor’s vision. Allowing foreign traders to retail directly to consumers undermines this heritage Governor Otti is building. If this is allowed, it would jeopardise the economic survival of our people.”

He enumerated the key disadvantages of the move to the local economy, if allowed to fly, to include displacement of local traders, as direct retailing by foreign traders will sideline Aba traders, who depend on the market for their daily sustenance and collapse of local manufacturing.

He noted that Aba, which is renowned in West Africa and beyond for its leather works, garments and other locally made goids will succumb to cheap imports that will erode demand for these products, made by Nigerians, leading to factory closures and job losses.

“It will also ultimately result in the collapse of government internally generated revenue and deficiency in development projects.

It will lead to capital flight, as revenue generation will largely be repaterated abroad, draining local economy instead of circulating within Abia State.”

He also noted unfair competition: Chinese traders with access to large-scale production and subsides will sell at prices local manufacturers cannot match, thereby creating an uneven playing field.

Ukwu also stated that Chinese presence, would encourage foreign dominance in the local market, thereby weakening Nigeria’s drive for self-reliance and industrial growth.

“Aba is our sacred shrine for local manufacturing in Nigeria. We therefore, urge Governor Otti to intervene quickly and decisively to protect the interest of Aba citizens.

“The government must prioritise policies that strengthens local manufacturing, empower indigenous traders and safeguard the economic heritage of Aba. Allowing foreign traders to retail directly in Ariaria will not only cripple Aba’s economy, but also set a dangerous precedence for other markets across Nigeria.”

Emeka Excel, said that the Chinese are not yet in the market, but noted that they’ve heard so much about the plans to give them parts of the newly reconstructed structures at A-Line, as their trading posts.

According to him, “We’ve heard from the grave vines that some Chinese traders have indicated interest to set up shops in Ariaria and the way some sections of the new plaza had been prepared, shows that it is feasible.

“This thing will kill the market. It is detrimental to our business, because such a thing had happened before in some other markets in the country, especially at the Trade Fair Market in Lagos. The trader’s chased them away, because they crashed the market.

There is division of labour in commerce. A manufacturer produces products, while the marketer distributed the finished product. A manufacturer cannot produce and sell to the end user at the same time, it will send so many people out of business.

“A sensible government will not allow that. There must be division of labour. The Chinese, produce and we distribute. If they come in here, they’ll crash the market. Even money made will be repatriated to the country.

“Most of them do not even pay taxes.
Where were they, when Aba was bad with no infrastructure? They want to come and reap where they did not sow. They are coming now, because Governor Otti has provided infrastructure at the detriment of our people,” he stated.

Kalu Mba urged the state government to halt the move and continue supporting local industries, through infrastructure development, access to credit and favourable trade policies.

He said that Ariaria Shopping Plaza (formally A-Line) should remain a beacon of Nigeria ingenuity, not a dumping ground for foreign goods. “Charity begins at home. Aba is our home and the home of manufacturing and holds the key to Africa’s industrialisation.”