Soludo, Nwankwo Hail Increased IGR under New ASMATA Boss

By Praise Chinecherem

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and President General, Building Materials International Market (BMIM) Ogidi, Chief Jude Nwankwo have praised President General, Anambra State Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna for restoration of relative peace and increase in the Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, base of the markets in the State.

They made the commendations during the PG’s celebration of one year in office in Oraeri community, Aguata Local Government Area of the state, adding that it was since the PG’s appointment by the governor that the traders’ IGR, was increased from N400 million to N4.5 billion annually.

According to Governor Soludo, “The PG has even pledged to generate N5 billion instead of N4.5 billion stating that 70 per cent of business activities in the state are trading. There is massive improvement on IGR.”

Speaking through his Special Adviser on Trade and Commerce, Hon. Everest Ubah, Soludo said that apart from enabling environment put in place for traders in the state, he has also touched on so many lives through human capital development, employment of teachers, medical personnel, introduction of one-man two-skills acquisition initiate, sack of touts, among others.

“On infrastructure he has done over 400 kilometers of road within a short period and has improved on the transport system by working on scores of roads,” he stated.

Earlier, PG, BMIM, Chief Jude Nwankwo (Ochendo Umuawulu), who chaired the occasion, expressed satisfaction that the PG’s appointment by Governor Soludo assisted immensely to the increase in IGR of traders in the market.

“80 per cent of residents of Anambra State are traders. The PG has served in various capacities as market leader which helped him to know sources of market revenue generation for the State Government and that contributed to the increased revenue base of the traders.

“Also, the PG has pledged to generate N5 billion on the latest IGR payment to the state government and his administration restored peace which for years eluded the traders,” said Nwankwo.

On the Special Adviser to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, on Parks and Markets, Hon. Evarist Ubah, the chairman who is ASMATA patron and also PG of Ogidi Building Materials International market, stated that Ubah was instrumental to the improvement on IGR and restoration of peace in all markets in the State.

“Without the Special Adviser, Hon. Ubah, these achievements by the ASMATA PG would not have been possible. Uba’s appointment by Governor Soludo is a welcome development as it has sanitized the markets,” Nwankwo added.

In his own contribution, the Idemili zonal Chairman of ASMATA, Chief Emmanuel Obiagwu, commended the ASMATA PG for celebration of one year in office adding that the present ASMATA executives have been able to surpass previous regimes in terms of achievements.

“We increased the revenue base, that is IGR of traders from N4 million that was the highest IGR before we came in, to now N4.5 billion and hope to increase it to N5 billion according to the PG. So we are doing well and Government is happy about it,” he stated.

ASMATA Resolution commitee chairman and secretary, Hon. Eric Uwaoma and comrade Peter Okala, respectfully, expressed satisfaction with the attainment of one year in office of ASMATA PG adding that the achievements of the present ASMATA executives led by Chief Humphrey Anuna, have surpassed the previous regimes especially in areas of IGR and peace restoration.

Also, Chairmen of Haruna and Sokoto markets, Hon. Emmanuel Idoko and Hon. Emeka Mbachu, commended the ASMATA PG as he marked one year in office pointing out that he changed the face of the markets from ugly to beauty via restoration of peace and improvement on IGR.

“According to the duo, “The markets have been sanitized and everybody is happy with the PG for restoring peace that eluded the traders for years. The appointment of PG changed the narrative.”

The PG of Oraeri community, Evangelist Alex Agudosi, while commending Governor Soludo for appointing their son as the ASMATA PG, disclosed that it was an appointment well deserved.

Also the chairman of Nkpor New Auto Spareparts market, Chief Elysius Ozorkwere, paid glowing tribute to the ASMATA PG to have achieved this feat of one year in office noting that he was able to increase the IGR base and restored peace in the markets.

According to him this feat would not have been possible without the contribution of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Commerce, Hon. Evarist Ubah, stating that the duo work in synergy for the betterment of traders in the State and commended Governor Soludo for their appointment.

In his response, the ASMATA PG commended all and sundry for felicitating with him as he marked the one year in office adding that without their contributions the celebration would not have been a success.

“If not for you traders, your contributions and hard work, we would not have gone this far in restoring peace and increment on revenue base from N400 million before we came in, to N4.5billio and even hope to get to N5billion in the next payment”, he hinted.