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From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Traders in Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State, under the aegis of Machete Dealers Association, yesterday, protested alleged imposition of caretaker executive on the market by the state government.
The traders, who marched to the secretariat of the market, popularly known as the White House, carried placards and chanted songs depicting their anger and displeasure over the alleged imposition of a caretaker executive on them.
Some of the placards read: “Machete line traders say no to caretaker; “We have elected officers; “No line in Onitsha market has caretaker; Machete line cannot be an exception; “Gov Soludo, please, help us so that we can avert trouble at the Machete line,” among others.
Speaking at the protest, Chairman, Machete Dealers Association, Emeka Anyanwo, said that he was democratically elected by the traders, who gave him the mandate to be their chairman. He expressed surprise that a few days ago, some individuals came to the market and announced to the traders that the Anambra State government gave them the mandate to take over leadership of the market on caretaker capacity.
While insisting that the individuals allegedly mandated to administer the market as caretaker executive were not bonafide members of the market union, Anyanwo said traders in the market would not succumb to any form of intimidation or imposition, and urged the Anambra State government to retract its steps for the sake of peace.
Addressing the protesters, Central Chairman, Onitsha Main Market, Innocent Ezeoha, commended the traders for their peaceful conduct. He, however, told them to put their petition in writing and forward it to him for onward submission to the governor’s office and the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.
A member of the caretaker executive allegedly constituted for the market union, Eze Chukwuebuka, also told the protesters that he was rejecting membership of the committee since, according to him, his permission was not sought before his name was enlisted as member.
