ASMATA warns erring traders as it inaugurated market exco
By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
Worried by the incessant intra market crisis rocking Ifejirika market, Onitsha, which has resulted in two major factions prior to the inauguration of the market new executives weekend by the President General, PG, Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, Anuna warned that trouble makers in the market must be sanctioned.
Sounding the note of warning during the inauguration of the new executives, he urged the oppositions and trouble makers to shield their swords and turn a new leaf reiterating that the state government will not hesitate to sanction who ever that caused trouble in the market.
He expressed satisfaction that the traders have eventually gotten their leaders and charged the new executives to embrace all to forge ahead stating that the state government is interested in the welfare of the traders.
Inaugurating them, the chairman, Conflict Resolution committee of ASMATA, Onitsha zonal chairman, Chief Eric Uwaoma, told all the inaugurated caretakers to abide by the rules and regulations of government and their market.
He advised them also to avoid acts capable of bringing their image to ridicule adding that greedy ones will be shown the way by the traders with time.
Speaking, Ogu Benjamin, the pioneer chairman of the market, said, "I am happy today for this inauguration, since three months now the market was handed over to me and 12 other stakeholders to look after the market when problem arose between the executive and traders of the union.
"Today we have handed over to the newly inaugurated caretaker committee. We, the stakeholders brought out the new executives to pilot the affairs of our market because we know they can do it and they will bring peace and unity in our market.
"We thank governor Soludo for the way he is taking good care of traders and making sure there is peace in all the markets in Anambra.
"I advise the inaugurated ones not to be greedy, let them know that leadership is not easy but let them give the union members a listening ear and know what the union needs. Any levy from government, they should not add their own money to it. Let them pay as ordered from government.
Mr. Ebelechukwu Obi, one of the market stakeholders, said, "We are happy for the new executive because the old executive did not do well, so we stakeholders decided to put a stop to that".
In his speech, Hon Enemuo Christian Ejoke, the new caretaker chairman, said that, " I am happy for today's inauguration because to whom much is given much is expected, I am here to work for traders, unite and protect them in this market for them to be promoted in their businesses.
"We have a lot of priorities to face but first of all there are lots of divisions in our market, each plaza wants to be on her own, united we stand, I want to unite all so that we can achieve something, to protect the interest of our union in government and protect the interest of government in our union also.
"What traders want is transparency, I promise them I did not come to make money, whatever I will do is what everyone concluded, they should give me the trust and believe that I will give them what they want," he pleaded.
According to him "ASMATA PG is trying so much, the way he is protecting the interest of traders gives me joy, there is never a time you will seek for his attention he will disappoint you. There was a time we have serious problem in our market, we called him and he came immediately and settled and united everyone. I thank all the members of our union for coming out en masse to stand for our inauguration.
Mr Ukachukwu Chidi, Secretary, said he thanked God for a successful inauguration disclosing that all the new executive members are willing to work with all their hearts and be able to protect the interest of the people.
"We promise our union that we will be truthful in anything we will do, we will be transparent and will carry everybody along in anything we will do. We want government to come to our rescue and be our back up," he pleaded.
Chief Innocent Okenwa, Public Relations Officer, P.R.O., said "We have been expecting today's inauguration long time ago, because for the past years we are divided but I pray with this inaugurated caretaker members, we will try our best to make sure we are united, reduce excessive levies and unexpected dues. it's the cause of this division in our union," he disclosed.
"I also thank Governor Chukwuma Soludo because all these years we have been sitting at home, Mondays, our money is almost gone, we lost a lot, we are very happy the way governor put a stop to that, since then from 7am we will be in our shops waiting for customers to come. We promise governor Soludo that every Monday we will all open our shops for customers to come and buy.
In his own contribution, Igwe Christopher Sunday Ezeofor, of Umuona, in Aguata Local Government Area, said that, "Today is a good day in our market, I was happy that I met the executives during their inauguration because unity is one of the work of the kings, to guide and advise them.
"Everyone tried on his own but is good that the old ones were changed because they have stayed enough, let's give another people chance to rule and I believe they will work according to what government and traders want, for peace to reign," he stated.
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