By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Awka
Traders at Oseokwodu market, Onitsha, Anambra State, Tuesday, passed a vote of confidence on their leadership led by Chief Ikechukwu Umeanozie as Transition Committee Chairman, and implored governor Chukwuma Soludo to retain him.
The traders gave the commendation following a motion moved by Chief John Uzondu, patron Oseokwodu and supported by Mrs Chioma Achufuna, Chairlady SPL Line Onitsha, during their stakeholders meeting.
Speaking at the meeting, Chief Obiorah Ibegbuna, explained that the caretaker leadership which took over few months ago had sanitised the market, refurbished the security architecture with CCTV cameras, fixed it pipe borne water, generated and remitted to the government coffer the sum of ₦35 million for storage fees alone.
"He is leading us well. We found no fault in him. Just few months in power, the market is now clean, healthy and secured. People no longer park vehicles or their goods on the road. We are pleading with the government to allow them to remain or to use them to conduct election whenever it lifts ban on that, " Ibegbuna.
He further warned, "We heard that Mr Anthony Onwuetiaka, the former Chairman of the market is going about seeking to be reappointed by the government. We are pleading with the governor not to listen to him because his leadership was not transparent and accountable compared to what we enjoy now. We are enjoying peace now far better than then."
Also speaking, patron and member of the market, Chief John Ụzọndu, and a line Chairperson, Mrs Chioma Achufuna, argued that unlike a certain former leader of the market which used thugs to run his administration, the incumbent are peaceful, humane, more transparent and accountable.
Other speakers, including Chief Obed Nweke, the Vice Chairman of Oseokwodu Line A; Mr Sunday Ewurum, the former Chairman of Oseokwodu Market; Mr Fidelis Lazarus, the former Chairman of Oseokwodu zone 4; and another stakeholder, Mr Nnaemeka Eric; further dismissed the allegations in some quarters that election was conducted in the market in 2022..