By Praise Chinecherem
Traders in Onitsha Aluminum and Allied Dealers market in Anambra State have protested alleged deployment of thugs to harass and collect illegal levies accruing to government and the market by former executive and Board of Trustees (BOT) members.
The traders, under the agies of Onitsha Aluminum, Allied Dealers And Technicians Association also accused former executive of placing embargo to the association’s account and refusing to render account of their 8years stewardship.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as โWe need Governor Chukwuma Soludo quick intervention in the marketโ โTomax Aluminum is our Authentic Chairmanโ, โWe say no to illegal collection of leviesโ, โWe donโt want touts in, OAADTA,โ โBOT members leave us aloneโ among others.
Speaking to newsmen, Secretary of the Caretaker Committee, Mr Ikechukwu Ndibe recounted the ordeal the New Caretaker Committee has been passing through from the former executives and BOT members.
He expressed satisfaction over government’s promise to wade into the crisis to restore normalcy in the market.
“The former executive members and BOT members were using thugs to harass and collect illegal levies accruing to government and the market, placing embargo to the association account and refusing to render account of their eight years stewardship,” he said.
Others who spoke during the protest including, Engr. Toochukwu Umeh, Vice Chairman Zone One, Mr Osondu Ogueji said the protest was informed by invitation of Caretaker Committee chairman, Mr. Anaekee to Zone-13, Ukpo with other executive members at the instance of the former executive.
“We’re staging this protest to register our grievances to the state government. We call for its quick intervention to restore lasting peace and stability in the market,’ they said.
Responding, Chief of Staff to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Sir Ernest Ezeajughi assured that government would look into issues causing crisis in Onitsha Aluminum, Allied Dealers and Technicians Association in order to foster peace in the market.
He commended the association for the peaceful protest and stressed that the state government still recognised the Caretaker Committee it set up recently.
“The Chairman remains, Mr Toochukwu Anaekee, Brother Ndibe Ikechukwu, Secretary, Chief Lazarus Ogbuali Assistant Secretary, Mr Chigozie Nzeakor, Treasurer and Mr Ezeukwu Stanley, Financial Secretary.
“Mr Ndubuisi Igwe, is the PRO, Mr Onuora Ekpunobi and Mr Emeka Anadu Members,” he said.
While restating government’s preparedness to sustain efforts targeted at ensuring peace and stability were restored in the market, Ezeajughi maintained that government embargo placed on election of market leaders had not been lifted.
He warned that anybody going against the directives was violating Governor’s order and would be dealt with accordingly, just as he urged former executive and BOT members accused of fomenting trouble to give peace a chance.
