Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Anambra State traders under the aegis of Anambra Elite Trader’s Forum (AETF), have expressed their delight in the policies of Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, since his emergence as the governor of the state.
An appreciation letter to the state governor signed by Chikeluba Odiche and Michael Nwangwu, thanked the governor for his quick response to traders’ clarion call in the state.
The letter tagged: “Appreciation For Quick Response To The Traders Clarion Call And A Reminder,” read: “We write your highly esteemed office to appreciate His Excellency for the excellent job being done in Anambra State.
“We, the citizens, can feel the impact of His Excellency’s policies. Recently, you reversed the haulage fees chargeable, and directed the enforcers to revert to the old rates.
“There is also new circular in further reinforcing the ban on touts and illegal tax collectors in the state. The traders are indeed happy and highly appreciative of these developments.”
Appreciating the government further, the traders said: “We are aware and happy that the government has lifted ban placed on elections for town unions in the state and we appreciated the transparency with which the elections are being conducted.”
They thanked Soludo for the initiative to reinstate former President General of Ogbaru Relief Market, calling on the governor to also reinstate the former president general of Bridgehead market and Ose Okwodu market chairmen, respectively .
“We recalled that on March 25, 2022, you invited traders to Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre Awka and intimated us of some of your policies and programmes for efficient administration of the state. You also promised us to conduct election for Markets Union by March this year for the markets that are operating on caretaker committee leadership.”
According to the traders, there is no indication of preparedness on the part of the relevant authorities to conduct the elections.
“There is no plans yet, no notice or any preparation whatsoever to indicate intention to conduct these elections and the caretaker committee members have continued to sit tight in these offices.
“It was on the hope of the elections to be conducted by March this year that we prevailed on the aggrieved persons to withdraw different law suits filed against the caretaker committees, Dr. Ngonadi and Anambra State government.”
They also explained that those aggrieved persons obeyed and withdrew the suits believing that Market Leaders who were removed unjustly by the erstwhile Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, would return to their offices.
Noting that traders in Anambra state constitute 70 percent of APGA party members, it said reinstating the remaining unlawfully removed market chairmen will further motivate them to support the party and government.
