Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
A group known as Anambra Patriots for Soludo has flagged-off the ‘Rebrand Anambra’ project to promote decency and hygiene around markets in the State.
The project was flagged-off at the popular Coca-cola market in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the State.
As part of the exercise, about 2,000 traders in the market were given aprons to aid their businesses and safeguard their monies.
Convener of the Anambra Patriots for Soludo and Managing Director Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Arch. Okey Ezeobi, said the exercise was to encourage traders to keep their trading environment clean as well as improve the ease of doing business in the state.
“Today at the Coke market, we came for a project which we call rebranding Anambra. We want our markets and traders to look neat, clean and decent. The project by the Anambra Patriots is aimed at giving the state what it takes to be the best in Nigeria.
“Apart from promoting hygiene in the markets, we are using this strategy to improve the ease of doing business in the state. To support the traders, we have provided them with quality aprons such that while they are trading, they can keep their money safe.”
Hon Jude Akpua, Deputy Majority Leader and member representing Njikoka II at the Anambra State House of Assembly re-echoed the words of Ezeobi, adding that the apron distribution was to convey the message of hygiene and safety to traders.
“We came with this apron to let them understand the need for hygiene everywhere they find themselves. These people are selling foodstuffs and all other eatables, so it is good for them to look clean, healthy, as well as safeguard their money,” he said.
Chairman Anambra Patriots for Soludo, Chief Ejiamatu Damian Enekwechi, said the exercise is not focused on election and politics, but on the need to encourage the people to continue keeping the state clean to be livable.
“We are not talking about politics because the ban has not been lifted. When it is lifted, if we have another agenda, we will carry it out.
“Remember that before the party primaries, the slogan was ‘We ‘Gosip Soludo,’ but now, it is all over. Politics can’t be for everyday. What we came here to do today was to pass a message of cleanliness.
“We just flagged-off the project here at Coke market, Okpoko, and will still visit others like Ochanja Main market and all other markets in the state,” he said.
He urged the traders to always ensure their trading surroundings are kept clean in line with the objective of Soludo’s government to ensure a clean and livable environment.
Responding on behalf of the traders, the market leader, Comrade Tony Obiadimma, during an interview with journalists, commended the group for the sensitization and empowerment, noting that the exercise is timely and has reawakened their consciousness of maintaining a clean and livable environment.
Obiadimma applauded the state government for improving the welfare of traders in the market through the provision of water, roads and drainages, among others.
