Some of the executives of Okwey and Kano Streets leaders
By Tobias Ekirika, Onitsha
The Caretaker Committee Chairman of Okwey/Kano Street Market in the Main Market, Onitsha, Mr. Ebere Obi (popularly known as “Tallest”), has distanced himself and his executive from allegations of extortion and illegal collection of money from wheelbarrow pushers operating within the area.
The newly inaugurated chairman made the clarification while briefing newsmen in his office. He said that neither he nor any member of his committee has ever collected money from wheelbarrow pushers or demanded payment from them under any guise.
“I and my executives have never collected any kobo from any wheelbarrow pusher for any reason.
“What happened was that when some of them began diverting people’s goods to unknown destinations instead of delivering them to the rightful owners, we reported the criminal acts to the Main Market Police Division.
“We also agreed with the police to issue them identification tags and create a register for easy identification in case such incidents occur,” he said.
He added that the arrangement was yet to be implemented before the intervention of the state leadership of the wheelbarrow pushers, who promised to identify and deal with the criminal elements within their ranks.
Earlier, wheelbarrow pushers operating within Okwey and Kano Streets of the Onitsha Main Market had accused the market leadership, during a radio programme, of extorting large sums of money from them. They also alleged that the leadership was collaborating with the Nigeria Police to collect ₦12,000 from each pusher under the pretext of issuing identification tags.
When contacted, the Anambra State Wheelbarrow Owners and Pushers Association, led by its chairman, Mr. Ikechukwu Ezeorachalu, confirmed that the union had taken over the matter concerning Okwey and Kano Streets Market.
However, he expressed concern that some market leaders were planning to use similar methods to intimidate and extort their members, despite the directive by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, exempting wheelbarrow operators from taxation.
Mr. Ezeorachalu, who frowned at the actions of some market leaders, noted that the union has effective mechanisms to identify and deal with criminal elements among wheelbarrow pushers.
“We know how to identify criminals and ensure their arrest. Each wheelbarrow has a number and initials, while every operator has an identity card duly issued and signed by our office.
“If you want to engage any wheelbarrow operator, first take note of the number on the wheelbarrow, ask for the ID card, and record the details. If the person absconds with your goods, report to our office and we will track and recover your items,” he explained.
The union leader further accused some market authorities of preventing their task force from accessing markets to properly verify those claiming to be registered members.
He also alleged that some traders engage in what he described as “carry and discharge”—a situation where a trader purchases a wheelbarrow but fails to register it, then hands it over to an associate who poses as a legitimate operator. Such individuals, he said, often disappear with goods and return them to the original owner, thereby tarnishing the image of genuine wheelbarrow pushers.
The association appealed to the Anambra State Government to direct market leaders to grant them access to markets, enabling them to identify and eliminate criminal elements posing as wheelbarrow operators.
