THE STORY OF CHINA MARKET -DAVID LAWRENCE SPEAKS
Former Eket State House Member, Hon. David Lawrence has responded to questions on issues surrounding the china market in Eket.
The former Lawmaker was responding to Peters Buhari, a self styled political critic who has made series of allegations against him in the past days.
He said, “Dear Peters Buhari, Thanks for your concerns concerning the Yiwu market. This of course may be a reflection of the concerns and anxiety of those who are sincerely interested in knowing the state of affairs regarding the Yiwu market and wishing for the successful completion of this project.
Let me start by saying the market construction was a well intended project to improve the then deplorable Urua Nka market and to improve the wellbeing of our people and community.
I was the facilitator but the project it’s owned by Eket LGA and the State Government which holds equity in the project.
Therefore any information regarding the Yiwu market is domiciled with Eket LGA and the state Ministry of Trade and Industry. By reason of FOI therefore any information regarding YIWU market is in the public domain.
Please also know that it is the Ministry of Justice that draft and supervises the execution of such contract between government and any other party. Therefore it brings to question the level of legal knowledge of an individual much more a lawyer to refer to such contract as ‘scam’ This is what damage politics can do to us a people.
His Excellency the governor Pastor Umo Eno in a recent Exco meeting has set up an Interministerial Committee to investigate the Yiwu market project and report back to Exco within 1 month.
Therefore as an appointee of government it’s somewhat inappropriate to discuss Yiwu pending the outcome of the report of that committee.
Nevertheless to address your concerns and for the benefits of members of our community that seek to know the truth.
-The Yiwu market project has suffered setback due to very low subscription by offtakers and poor funding.
– There is every possibility that the project will be revived and completed as soon as the issue of funding is sorted out by the stakeholders in the project.
– The investors money is intact with the investors (please note: not David Lawrence as I am not an investor or shareholder in this project)
Let me conclude by saying that as a people we should appreciate our sons, daughters and leaders who even make genuine efforts at contributing positively to the development of Eket rather than make comments that could discourage them.
Furthermore, we should avail ourselves of established public information channels of Enquiries available at our disposal so as to discourage mischief makers and political blackmailers hiding in shell of community interests.
I hope this will help but do feel free to contact me for any further information you may require.
Thanks for your futher enquiries.
It would be of utmost politeness if you avoid words that seem inappropriate such as ‘murky’ when seeking explanations.
Nevertheless, there is a difference between equity ownership and accruals of investment in a PPP project. So investors in the PPP Yiwu project share in the revenue from the market proceeds until they fully recover their capital before handing over the investment to the equity holders which are Eket and State Government. So that is what and why you see % sharing in the contract. It is accruals associated with PPP not Equity ownership. So there is nothing ‘murky’ about it.
Dear Peter Execution of most government and agencies contracts are done in a most efficient and open manner as prescribed by the law and the public are entitled to such information.
On the purchase of shops by the subscribers, I have already mentioned that I know that such purchases were done through the Yiwu Bank account and receipts issued. So I believe they will have benefits of their shops once the project is completed. Our payers and efforts are geared towards an earliest revamping and completion of the Market
Any sincere enquiries are welcomed provided it is intended for public good.
Dear Peter in order not to go ahead of the government inter ministerial committee report I can only take further questions regarding this issue on my personal box or you can call.” David Lawrence was quoted.
