By Okechukwu Okechukwu
Association of Radio and Television Technicians in Anambra State (ARTAS), Onitsha branch have sought governor Chukwuma Soludo's intervention to release their detained members and reopen their market closed down since June 2024.
According to the President of ARTAS, Chief Engr. Sabastine Ebilite, not less than ten members of the association, including a nursing mother have been incarcerated by the police after been handed over to by the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra (Ọcha Brigade).
Ebilite, while addressing a press conference at Onistha, gave the names of those currently cooling at Awkzu Extension of the Police CID and other police formations to include his Vice Chairman, Chief Isreal Chukwudi, Anayo Ogbonna, Levi Manulu, Ebele Okolo (nursing mother), Master Chigozie Nwaeze (son of Chief Eloka Nnoso, their patron).
The intimidation, according to the President, has forced many of them to fell sick, unconscious and dying, even as many who could not afford to eat again have either gone back to the village or dares the consequences to operate anywhere not minding if to be arrested.
He recalled that trouble started when Electronics Spare parts Dealers Association which was previously operating close to their market at Iweka road purchased a land and built market at Harbour Industrial estate Ogbaru.
"After they built their market and parked out they came and demanded that we join them in the market but we declined because we are not the same. We are registered entity under the CAC and have being doing our business before the coming and registration of Electronics Spare parts Dealers Association. We don't do the same business and own no shops at their new market.
"Since then they have been using the police and Ocha Brigade to intimidate us. If they arrest this one today, they will attest another person tomorrow. From CPS to GMU, Area Command, to Awkzu and State CID. They have arrested over ten of our members, including myself and my vice President," he added.
He further maintained that they have written petitions to the governor, Chief of Staff, the Special Adviser to the governor on Market, Anambra State House of Assembly, Anambra State Market Traders Association, among others but to no avail.
They have also obtained court order which among others urged that status quo should be maintained, which the market leaders believed that the market should be opened since the court order was obtained before it was sealed.
He recalled that aside the fact that their market was privately owned and they have been paying their taxes and other levies, aside shop rents, wondering how they could relocate to a new location and pay millions to acquire new shops.
Reacting, the Managing Director of Ocha brigade, Comrade Celestine Anere said that he is not aware of any Court order stopping the agency from carrying out government order.
According to him,they arrested few people who were trying to cause trouble in the Market and took them to the area command.
He also stated that the problem in the market has been long and at time Anambra House of Assembly of intervene and there was agreement that they should relocate to their new site.
Anere said that whatever reason they refused to to move to the new he does not know, noting that his duty was to enforce order from the special Adviser to governor on parks and markets.
" I think,they have problem with the Area command and it is not my business to probe into their problems. What we saw was some people were trying to incite violence and we arrested them and took them to the area command.
" The matter has been on for long time and the Special Adviser to governor on parks and markets told them to relocate to the new market. I don't know what is their problems and it is not my business,the only thing I know is that the Special Adviser to governor asked them to move to the new market and they refused.
"We went there for the first time and sealed the Market and the Anambra State House of Assembly intervened and signed an agreement through the chairman of the market and they all agreed to move to New market and time were given to them to move.
"It is not my business who is who in market,my only concern is that they were causing problems and we need to intervene and save the situation. I think ,there is one particular man,their chairman who is the problem because he refused to move to the new market.
"The house said that if you are repairing ,you have to stay but if you are selling ,you must move to the new market. You cannot be repairing and selling and you say you cannot move to the new Market. Just go there on your own,you will see they are selling and repairing.
"I have not seen any Court order and even if there was such it was after the sealing of the market. If the court says status quo,it means the sealing continue till final determination of the case, because it was sealed already. I don't know the content of the court order and if the court says leave them there ,we cannot do otherwise" he said .