Afam Chimezie
An Onitsha market leader and Caretaker Committee Chairman, Ose-Okwodu Market, Onitsha, Chief Ikechukwu Umeanozie (Chanchangi) has applauded the courage and wisdom of Gov.Chukwuma Soludo and the State Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industry,Dr.Obinna Ngonadi in blocking revenue leakages in major markets across the state.
Chief Umeanozie made the commendation recently while interacting with journalists over calls by some market stakeholders for the removal of the Commerce Commissioner.
The market boss disagreed with the reasons for the call which he described as “untimely and selfish”.
He noted that the traders whose stock in trade is to milk the state dry through frivolous revenue collection which the present Commissioner with the backing of Gov.Soludo stopped were uncomfortable with the State Government stand on revenue collection, adding that they were now fighting back through frivolous allegations.
Chief Umeanozie said that some of the people calling for the Commissioner’s probe and subsequent removal had benefitted immensely from the corrupt disposition of the former administration in the State where revenue from markets which should have been remitted into government coffers ended in private pockets.
He revealed that billions of naira being revenue accruing from markets were shared among some state government functionaries, people from a particular zone in the state in connivance with some former market leaders who were forcefully removed by the present administration under the supervision of Dr.Ngonadi.
The market boss explained that since some of those former market leaders were removed after conducting what he described as “kangaroo and faulty” elections to elongate their stay in office in order to continue their stealing and divertion of government revenue they have remained uncomfortable.
He, however, cautioned the Commissioner’s detractors to sheath their swords and assist Gov.Soludo and Ngonadi in the current revolution to return Anambra markets to their past glory.
The market boss further commended Gov.Soludo, Commerce and Trade Commissioner ,Dr.Ngonadi for their wisdom in their current disposition to better the lots of traders in the state.
