Chukwudike Ndubeze, Awka
Anambra State Government has announced the dissolution of Caretaker Committees of 30 markets in Anambra State.
Ikengaonline gathered that the action followed the directive of the State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, who had issued the order for reforms to be carried out in markets across the state.
Among the 30 markets whose leadership was dissolved are: Onitsha Main Market; G.B.O Market; Bridge Head Market (Ogbo Ogwu); Ochanja Central Market; Nwugo Market (Beer Market); Progress Market; Millenuim Market; Ochanja Area Market; Sokoto Road Main Market; Onitsha; and Naspa Nnewi 11 Electrical/Electronics Dealers Market Nnewi.
Others are: Plant Parts Market Nnewi; Agba Edo United (F-line Market, Nnewi); Ofuobi Traders Association, Nnewi; Ogbofere Market; Ogbaru Plastic Market; Shoe Manufacturing Market, Ogbaru; Iron Dealers Market, Onitsha; Abada International Market; and Okoro Ichida Market.
General Motors Spare Parts Okpoko, Ogbaru; Bicycle Spare Parts, Ogbunike; Nkpor Main Market; Grain Seed Market Obosi; Synthetic Fabrics Ogidi; Building Materials Market, Ogbunike; Stockfish International, Obosi; New Motor Spare Parts Dealers Association, Obosi; Odera Market and Oye Uga Market were also among the listed markets.
According to a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Obinna Ngonadi: ” In line with Mr Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision and directives, the State Ministry of Commerce and Industry rolled out polices to reform and modernize markets and make shopping pleasurable, so that Anambra State will regain its place as the number one place in trade and commerce.
“The government intends to strengthen the markets’ leaderships to involve progressive governance, so that the unions can become effective partners in the modernization of the markets.”
Government said new Caretaker Committees of credible individuals would be inaugurated before May 12, to run the affairs of the markets pending the constitution of substantive leaderships.
He also said the Government would constitute caretaker committees to replace Ose Okwodu and Ogbaru Main Market (Relief Market) leaders, whose elections were deemed to be flawed, on or before the 12th of May 2022.
The Commissioner reassured that the State Government would deploy framework to hold transparent, free and fair elections across the affected markets between March and April, 2023.
Promising to create a credible voter register across all markets, he said eligibility for voting in any market election would, henceforth, be based on participation in the enumeration process.
He also said “there is no increase whatsoever in the levies collected in the market by unions or government.”
