Anambra State Government has resolved to settle the tussle within the leadership of the Ogbogwu Market, Bridge Head, Onitsha.Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr Charles Uchenna Okafor said this when he summoned Ogbogwu Caretaker Committee, major stakeholders, line Chairmen and Secretaries of the market to resolve the matter threatening to tear apart the market.The meeting was held at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka.
The commissioner noted that Gov. Willie Obiano had ordered that the crisis within the executive committee and the members of Ogbogwu Market must be settled.Mr Okafor said he was compelled to cancel all market elections in the state in the meantime until COVID-19 pandemic was over.According to research, problems of Ogbogwu emanated from executive committee that previously leaves office without any form of handover or records.He described governance as a continuous process that should not be disrupted.
On the issue of relocation of the market, the commissioner appointed representatives from all factions in Ogbogwu as they represent various interests of members, to join the committee resolving all contentious matters.He promised to look into their petitions and other matters presented to him with a view to finding lasting solutions to all of them.Earlier, President-General (PG), Ogbogwu Market, Mr Sunday Obinze lamented over police intimidation meted to traders and their customers, describing it as totally unacceptable.Mr Obinze noted that traders could have protested; but that he calmed them down to enable him to see the commissioner.
The PG also pointed out that many factions with conflicting interests existed in the market with their own `governments; making coordinated leadership of the entire market difficult.Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Chief Chikelue Ezioba said the committee had made tremendous achievement by appointing a 9-man committee that oversaw reconciliation, revalidation of market Constitution and furnishing of security apartments in the market.He commended the commissioner for his courageous approach in solving problems in Ogbogwu, urging him to look into the issue of relocation of the Ogbogwu Market.
The PG, ASMATA, Mr Ikechukwu Ekwegbalu in his address mentioned that non recognition of his office in solving problems of Ogbogwu was a breach of hierarchy that could have given him ample opportunity to solve the problems. (MOI)
