By Theodore Opara

The United Allied Spare Parts Dealers Association (UASPADA) has commenced trading activities at their ultra modern international shopping complex and permanent site located inside the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex along Badagry Express Way. The shopping complex was built at the cost of N3.8 billion.

Chairman of the association Bartholomew Achukwu while cutting the tape at the official opening ceremony, congratulated all his members for their support and co operation to ensure a successful actualization of the project and charged the traders and the general public to exploit the new opportunities provided by the complex to enhance their businesses.

“Today being Thursday the 4th day of June 2015 is very symbolic in the history of this association as we all are living witnesses to this great fact that our dreams which started in 2009, has finally become a reality. It is therefore my pleasure to declare this market open for the progress, peace, unity and prosperity of all our members, stakeholders and entire customers..”

Achukwu while directing the traders to move in their wares immediately   to commence trading activities at the new shops, also used the occassion to address issues affecting some members who expressed dissatisfaction over the shop sharing modalities. “We all agreed that these shops will be shared on first-come   first- serve basis, and this process was duly followed during the shop allocations.

But for peace to reign and to ensure that everybody is carried along, we have mapped out 84 shops downstairs for immediate reallocation of those aggrieved members within our jurisdiction in ASPAMDA,  who wish to own shops downstairs where trading can be more convenient for them. I request  these  84 affected traders to report here before 12noon tomorrow to pick your new shops.

“ it is equally important to let you know that this executives don’t have the powers to impose rent prices on shop owners who suffered to invest their money   here for profit. But as the chairman of this association, I am appealing on behalf of all our members that each shop should not exceed N5,000 per month between now and the next 2years.” He stated.

Also speaking at the event, UASPADA scribe Simeon Uzoetue admonished the traders to desist from associating or supporting those miscreants who parade themselves as United Allied Traders, warning that the union will not condone any form of parallel government.

The multibillion UASPDA Plaza is a world class business edifice housing 3,000 lock – up shops, and 29 individual plazas. It is a wholesale market offering a wide range of machine parts, engines and accessories including motor cycles, three wheelers (a.k.a. Keke), tractors, generators of all sizes, marine boat engines and components, as well as all manner of agricultural, industrial and domestic machineries.