Abia Market Leaders Inaugurated By the State Government in Umuahia.
In a bid to bring sanity and development at the major markets in Abia state, the Government, through the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, inaugurated the leadership of over 21 major markets in Abia state on Friday.
The Commissioner Designate and Special Adviser to Governor on Trade and Commerce, Dr. Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu, tasked the traders to partner with the new Labour Party Government of Dr. Alex Otti towards the repositioning the lost glory of Abia as the undisputable commercial capital, east of the Niger.
Dr. Ukaegbu charged them to ensure peace and tranquility in their various markets by shunning partisanship and as business people, should focus on their various trades and legitimate businesses, which will boost the overall economic development of state.
The Commissioner Designate and Special Adviser, also assured them of government support in infrastructure development, access to credit and other business support systems that will enhance the Ease of Doing in Abia state.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Abia state Governor on Internally Generated Revenue, Mr. Chimereze Okeigbo, declared that the state have adopted a new revenue payment system that is geared towards combating diversion of public funds, and financial mismanagement due to be launched.
He further stated that their statutory government levies have not been increased rather, ‘payment-by- installments’ method, has been put in place to make it easier for traders and the business community in Abia to take advantage of.
Similarly, Head, Abia Emergency Clean Up, Mr. Ogbonnia Okereke, appealed to traders and the new inaugurated market leaders to partner with the state government in achieving the goal of a clean and healthy environment for business activities in the state.
He enjoined them to provide waste bins at various refuge points in the market for their easy disposal and collection by government authorized refuge collectors.
The Special Adviser, who was charged by Gov. Otti, with the emergency task of getting rid of mountainous heaps of refuge that littered the state before his assumption of office on May 29, warned them to change their behavioural patterns at indiscriminate dumping of refuge, as safer and cleaner environment remain top priority of the new government in Abia.
In his response, the Chairman of Ariaria International Market, Aba, Mr. Chikadibia, Ozoekwe, on behalf of the newly inaugurated traders assured the government of all the necessary support and cooperation for general the well-being of Abians.
He acknowledged that the authorities saddled with the responsibility for their emergence, have displayed an encouraging sign of a ‘listening government’ and thanked the Governor for finding them worthy to pilot the affairs of the markets in the state and promised to be responsible to their duties.
VTMONEY
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