BY SUNNY A. DAVID
The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze and the Special Adviser to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’ on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Ubah were at the Fruits and Vegetables International Market Ogbaru, last weekend to ascertain the extent of progress since the market was relocated from Onitsha Express Road (Coca Cola) to its permanent site behind Power Mike Stadium in Ogbaru Local Government Area.
Going round the market, the duo were accompanied by the Council Chairman, Hon. Pascal Aniegbuna, ASMATA President General, Chief Humphrey Anuna, ASMATA, Conflict Resolution Scribe, Chief Peter Okala, the Market’s Chairman, Ngozi Egonu, and his Vice, Emeka Ikeokwu.
The Speaker who interacted with the traders said that Governor Soludo is keen on providing enabling environment for traders in the State. He assured the traders that soon, the market will be better than they met it.
Earlier, Special Adviser to the Governor on Markets, Chief Evaristus Uba, stated that Governor Soludo’s interest is to have specialised and consolidated markets that would be conducive for traders.
He assured the traders of the resolve of the Governor to put everything in place in the new site despite the facilities already in existence in the market.
“Petty traders should not be levied as Governor Soludo’ has directed that nobody should collect anything from them as part of the palliatives to them to assist them in fighting poverty,” he stated.
“We are working to ensure that before the end of March this year, the market will be a better place to trade in as all facilities will be provided,” he added.
In his response, the Market Chairman, Chief Ngozi Egonu, thanked the Speaker and Governor’s aide. Hon. Ubah for physically being present to ascertain the extent of progress in the market since it was relocated in early December last year to its permanent site.
He disclosed that some plantain, water melon and garden eggs dealers still remain around the former market and urged them to ensure that they joined in the new market site.
The Council Chairman, Hon. Pascal Aniegbuna. advised the traders to be law abiding by staying in the permanent site allocated by the State government.
Alhaji Zuberu Umaru, leader of the Northern traders in the market, commended the Governor for the permanent site and urged him to ensure that watertight security is put in the market.
The Vice Chairman of the market, Emeka Ikokwu, expressed satisfaction with the visit of the government functionaries adding that it would help to boost trading in the market.
He commended the leader of the Northern traders, Zuberu, for not taking his people to other neighbouring States when the market was in crisis.
The ASMATA President General while expressing satisfaction with the relocation of the market, reiterated that the State government was interested in changing the narrative for the good of the traders.
CAPTION:
Pic shows the Speaker Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, Chief Evarist Uba, the Council Chairman, Hon. Pascal Aniegbuna others going round the market.
