The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze and the Special Adviser to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’ on Trade and Markets, Hon. Evarist Ubah weekend, stormed fruits and vegetables international market, Ogbaru, to ascertain the extent of progress since the market was relocated from Ahia Coke, 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, Hon. Humphrey Anuna, ASMATA Conflict Resolution Scribe, Sir Peter Okala, the market chairman, Hon. Ngozi Egonu, and his Vice, Emeka Ikeokwu.
The Speaker who interacted with the traders said that Governor Soludo was bent on providing enabling environment for the traders in the state assuring the traders that they would meet the market better than they met it in no distant time.
Earlier, the Special Adviser, Hon. Uba, said that Governor Soludo was interested in having a specialized 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.
“We are working to ensure that before the end of March this year, the market will be a better place to trade upon as all facilities will be provided,” he further maintained.
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 to its permanent site.
He disclosed that some plantain, water melon and garden eggs dealers still remain at 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.
