By Okoye Okoye
Traders in Anambra State have expressed approval and commendations to the governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo for the decongestion exercise that has been going on in every market across the State.
The accolades were recorded on Tuesday 23rd August during the inauguration of interim caretaker committees of Building Materials International Market Zone 2/3 Ogidi/Ogbunike; Matchet Line Association Main Market Onitsha; and Stationery, Paper and Computer Dealers Association Onitsha.
Speaking during the occasion, the new chairman of Building Materials International Market Zone 2/3 Ogidi/Ogbunike Mr Onyebuchi Adinu, applauded the efforts of the State government in making market environments clean and conducive for commercial activities to thrive.
Mr Adinu also lamented on the increasing rate of crime perpetrated along the expressway right in front of the market by kidnappers, hard drug dealers and robbers.
According to him, all the shanties erected along the entrance gate and walls of the market were not owned by traders, but are shelters where the hoodlums operate from.
The Chairman on behalf of the new executives and the traders in the market called on Soludo to intervene as a matter of urgency, to demolish all the makeshift structures along the expressway directly in front of the market in order to curb the constant menace of criminals in that area.
In his reaction, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Commerce and Industry Mr Eloka Maduekwe urged the new executives to take care of the market and ensure that the interests of both traders and State government are protected.
The SA assured the traders that the State government will respond to their requests.
Inaugurating the executives on behalf of the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry Dr Obinna Ngonadi, the Chief Commercial Officer of the Ministry Mrs Jossy Eboh-Nwosu reminded the executives that being leaders does not make them kings over the traders but servants.
She urged them to be humble in their leadership and to work relentlessly with the government to build and modernize the market.
Similarly in Onitsha, the new executives were inaugurated for the Matchet Line Association of Main Market.
Speaking on behalf of the new executives and the traders, the new Caretaker Chairman Mr Chinedu Aniagboso said that the Governor has made a noble decision in moving the traders to their new site at Ogidi.
Aniagboso complained that the line was already congested without spaces to fully engage in their business activities, and hoped that the new permanent site will afford them the opportunity for growth and expansion.
In the Stationery, Paper and Computer Dealers Association, the new Caretaker Chairman Mr Alex Igboegbunam on behalf of the traders and the new executives commended Soludo for the decongestion exercise in markets.
He promised to support the State government with his team to modernize the market, and prayed for God's grace to enable him give a hitch free leadership to traders.