HISTORY OF OIL MILL MARKET

The Oil Mill Market other wise known as Wednesday (or midweek) market came into existence soon after the Nigerian/Biafra War.  Historically, the present day Oil Mill Market sprang up as Nnempi Market whose major commodity was cassava (Akpakpuru) which came in both tuber and fermented forms because of the abundance of water in Mini Chid River. People from far and wide came to to Nnempi Market to buy and sell Akpakpuru.  The federal Government high way, constructed by Guffanti gave impetus to the quick expansion of the Nnempi Market.  Around 1971-1977, the IKWU CHORLU MEETING gave great impetus to the development of the Nnempi Akpakpuru Market. In 1977, the market site was extended by Ikwu Chorlu Meeting with Elder Augustus Amadi as Chairman; other members of the meeting were Engr. B. A. Worgu, late Chief Abel Worgu, Mr. Josiah W. Worgu, Late Chief N.C.O. Nlerum and Austin W. Worgu. After this exercise, the Nnempi Market attracted the attention of the greater Rumukwurusi people. The Nnempi Market then metamorphosed into the present day Oil Mill Market. The market grew and became so popular that Lt. Col. Dauda Komo, the governor of Rivers State in the early 1990’s expanded the Market to its present size. This did not naturally go down well with the land owners in the expanded area and a court action was brought against Engr. B.A.Worgu and other notable members of the Market Committee like Stanford Achor, the claims were about N12,000.00 in damages. Through the spirited efforts of Amadi Esther Chorlu and others, the matter was peacefully resolved at the then Mr. Clinton Orianwo’s house in which it was ruled that a portion for shed development and one cow be given to Rumuokwurusi people for appeasement. With these resolution, the market grew by hobs and loops giving use to (though prudent management of market resources) the establishment of the Comprehensive Secondary School Rumuokwurusi, Evo Community Bank, Rumuokwurusi Health Centre.

How has this great Market affected lives in Rumuokwurusi?

(a) Very positively to non indigenes that grew their business bases here by clink of hard work.

(b) Very negatively to the Youths of Rumuokwurusi who on Wednesdays are supposed to go to the Rig for Oil prospecting clampdown, but instead go to Oil Mill Market.

(c) Traffic chaos is not unusual here on Wednesdays.

(d) The RTC Leadership which controlled the market in the last half decade or so became power drunk and very corrupt. They set up task force to collect dues for them, using the Youth of the Community (future leaders) to carry out their wishes. The market has been surged with sheds which no one occupies. Sanitation is at its worst even though their water proof bags are always fat and heavy.

Wednesday 30th September, 2009, marks a date to take a look at the almost completed construction of the Ring Road by Julius Berger, relatively the new development vis-à-vis the people.

(a) The new road network development is PEDESTRIAN UNFRIENDLY. View pictures:

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(b) The New Road Network development is WHEEL BARROW PUSHER UNFRIENDLY. View pictures:

(c) The New Road Network Development has added to the woes and sufferings of farm women.

(d) The New Road Network development has introduced new menace/hazard to the pedestrians who have been closed out by traders. These traders now share and spread their goods at the badly and grudgingly constructed pedestrian way. View pictures:


(e) The Bus Stops are wrongly located such that at the bus stop, vehicles are very slow in their movement instead of flowing fast. The Big/Small buses compete for nonexistent space. The Bus Stop should be taken back enough to allow for better traffic flow.

(f) The numerous green spaces will soon turn grey and brown if nothing is done to facilitate the gray areas. Going Green is a must in Port Harcourt. This area ought not to be named Eleme Junction but must answer Rumuokwurusi Junction for justice sake.
(g) Better use of some other wise seemingly waste area could be converted into platform for traders and hawkers who prevent pedestrians from making use of their ways.

Packing lots for vehicles could be properly developed. Old habits die hard, particularly at Motor Parks. Government must turn around the taunting habits through the principles of Ergonomics. This area would not become a haven for criminals but a beautiful orderly entry point into Rumuokwurusi and its environs. Government must not, through bureaucracy allow this area through bad judgments, decisions etc to fall short of its vision.


Eze B.A. Worgu, Eze Chorlu VII
is the Paramount Ruler of Rumuchorlu and
the pioneer Chairman of OBALGA – 1988.
E-mail, ezechorluvii@rumuchorlu.org

Visit our website for more info – www.rumuchorlu.org
Long live Rumuchorlu Community
Long live Rumuokwurusi Town
long live OBALGA
Long live Rivers State
long live Nigeria
[History of Oil Mill Market] [Eze Brokers Peace] [The Case Between Rumuchorlu and Ibaa] [Origin of CCSS Rumukwurusi]
By: Eze B.A. Worgu, Eze Chorlu VII
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