PHIL OKOSE, Onitsha
Traders in Anambra state under the platform of Association of Vegetable Salad Dealers (AVSD) have commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for the watertight security he put in place, adding that it has enabled holiday makers to return en masse for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Making the commendation at the ASMATA Secretariat in Onitsha, the state chairman, Nnaemeka Paul Afulukwe, disclosed that the governor appointed men of sterling quality in Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, who are able to restore peace that for about a decade eluded the traders in the state.
He named those Soludo appointed who are taking the traders to the promised land to include, Special Adviser (SPAD) on Trade and Markets, Evarist Ubah, and ASMATA President General, PG, Humphrey Anuna.
Afulukwe commended the duo for inaugurating the 10-man executive of the association and urged them not to relent in piloting the affairs of the traders.
He, however, condemned the new tax being imposed on Nigerians which will take effect from January 1st, 2026 and demanded for its immediate withdrawal adding that it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good.
“How can Federal Government impose such a draconian tax on Nigerians without proper consultation since most of us are not sure of our three square meals in a day? That is wickedness.
So it has become a tradition that every January the present administration will impose one thing or another on Nigerians,” he queried.
Recall that the ASMATA PG. Anuna, had during the inauguration of the new state executive, led by Afulukwe, cautioned the leadership not to be selfish but carry every trader along.
“You should carry every trader along in piloting the affairs of the association; any market crisis the secretary and chairman should be held responsible,” he warned.
He commended the traders for coming out en masse to support the inauguration of their executives and advised them not to be deceived by enemies of progress in their midst.
“I am happy with the large turn up of your members and this is the highest number of people I have recorded since I commenced the inauguration of market executives,” he further disclosed.
Swearing in the executives, the Aguata Zonal Chairman and Chairman of all chairmen, Chidozie Ezeigwe urged them to abide by their oath of office and obey the rules and regulations of markets and ASMATA.
The chairman, Onitsha South Street Traders Association, Eric Uwaoma handed over the constitution of ASMATA to the inaugurated caretaker executives.
The state chairman, Afulukwe stated that, ” We are an association that works on our own. Even though we had an appointment from the government to be a new caretaker committee of the association.
“We are looking up to the government to help us to have a market of our own and to solve any issues that we are facing.
I pray God to give me the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the association. I believe that God will guide and protect me.
“We plead with the government to provide us with a permanent site (land), that we will call our own as landlords,” he prayed.
Mrs. Njoku Uche, secretary of the association, stated that, “I have the privilege to be on this position today and as such we will make sure that prices for transportation of goods will reduce, especially at this Yuletide period.
“Now that we have been appointed, we will make peace with everyone in our market and ensure a solution to lingering crisis as we will apply wisdom in piloting the affairs of the association.
Mr Osmund Idenyi, the PRO, said, “We are happy for today’s inauguration, it was a successful one.
We are begging on Anambra State government to come to our rescue by assisting us with our own market because our traders are not in one place.
On Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s achievements, he said, “We don’t have a market. Soludo is a working governor, at least there are no potholes on the roads and most importantly, there is security. As you can see everywhere is calm now”.
Mr Chinwike Ezenwa, the Assistant Secretary, disclosed that, “Our chairman, Afulukwe, has started this work a long time ago, and he has helped to reduce the price of transportation from N15,000 and he has reduced the price to #8000, we are very happy for his good work.
“Members of our association supported him to be the chairman because what he has already done in our market surprised us and we are sure he will perform more than he has done earlier,” he stated.
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