Anambra Markets Get CCTV Upgrade As Soludo Forges ASMATA Alliance

By Chuks Eke

The Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Trade and Markets, Hon. Evarist Uba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Commerce, Samuel Chinedu Ike, and Chairman of Pine Leaf Estate, Chief Chukwugozie Bobfrancis Nzekwesi, have pledged a harmonious working relationship with Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA.

They said the pledge was born out of the fact that ASMATA has keyed into Governor Soludo’s vision for a liveable Anambra state in terms of improved security, peaceful co-existence and Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.

Uba, Ike and Nzekwesi spoke during a Thanksgiving Service organized by ASMATA. Honour of Governor Soludo’s achievements so far, specifically commended the President-General, PG, of ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna for his quality leadership of the traders in the state and expressed the Government’s mutual interest in working with the traders

Others who commended the ASMATA PG at the reception held at Holy Rosary Primary/Nursery School, Oniitsha,  which was preceded by a special mass service held at Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity Church, Onitsha, included the Onitsha zonal chairman of ASMATA,  Eric Uwaoma, chairman of Ose-Ekwodu market, Ikechukwu Umeohazie, among others.

Speaking, Uba said that it was good to always thank God for what He did to people, adding that the ASMATA PG has been able to restore peace in the markets and assisted in no small measure towards the increment of Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, of markets to the state government.

On insecurity in the state, he said that the governor has been able to beef up security, adding that there are innovations currently being put in place to curtail insecurity in the state, even as he maintained that in recent weeks, there was no iota of recorded crime incidents in the state.

Contributing, the permanent secretary, Ike, expressed satisfaction with the ASMATA PG stating that he has taken the traders to the promised land.

“The PG has been able to restore peace in the markets and is doing fine in the IGR. There is relative peace in the markets and traders are happy. I commend him for his efforts and urge him not to relent,” he pleaded.

Governor Soludo said that the governor had restored the lost glory of the state, adding that the governor’s rapid infrastructural development of the state has made him the man of the people.

“The achievements are there for all to see and more are coming. There is free antenatal, free education up to secondary school level, and roads are being rehabilitated,” he stated.

In his contribution, the chairman of CB GOFRAN, the contracting film that is installing A1-Closed Circuit Television CCTV cameras in the 185 markets in the state,  Chukwugozie Bobfrancis Nzekwesi, felicitated ASMATA PG stating that he has been able to carry the traders along.

He disclosed that so far, 45 per cent of the markets have been installed with CCTV cameras pointing out that the kick-off for the installation took place at the New Auto Spare Parts market, Nkpor.

Earlier in his speech, the Onitsha zonal chairman of ASMATA, Eric Uwaoma, said that he was full of joy seeing traders in uniform celebrate Soludo’s achievements in the state and commended the PG for the unity of the traders

He described ASMATA PG as a peacemaker with a large heart even as he disclosed that the PG contributed immensely to the increase of government IGR in the state

“He always lives by example and shows transparency in all he does and that portrays a good leader and one who has love for his people,” Uwaoma affirmed.

The Ose-Ekwodu market chairman,  Umeohazie, expressed satisfaction with the role being played by the PG and reiterated his unwavering support to the PG.

Responding, the PG commended the governor for allowing him to serve God and man and pledged not to relent even as he solicited the continued support of the traders, stating that without them, he would not have gone this far.

He paid glowing tribute to Uba, who he disclosed that he always comes to the rescue in matters concerning the traders in the state.