Traders Group Pledges to Make Anambra Markets More Conducive for Commercial Activities

By Praise Chinecherem

National Union of Market Traders Employers of Nigeria (NUMTEN) has reassured market stakeholders in Anambra state of its preparedness to complement their efforts at making the market arena more conducive for trading in the state.

National President, Comrade Ogu James Chukwuma gave the assurance on Friday during the inauguration ceremony of state and local governments executives with induction of the Patron and Matron.

He also assured that era of retiring from active market trading activities hopelessly would be a thing of the past, revealing Union’s plans to partner with National Pension Commission (PENCOM) to ensure members’ enjoyment of healthy retirement benefits.

He said: “Let me reassure all market stakeholders in the state that NUMTEN has come to complement your efforts at making the market arena more conducive for trading in the state.

“I therefore seek your continuous support on the task ahead to ensure the aims and objectives of establishing NUMTEN by President Bola Tinubu’s administration will be collectively achieved.

“I charge officers in the state to work in synergy and solidarity to achieve more because injury to one is injury to all.

“The issue of retiring from active market trading activities hopelessly will be a thing of the past. We’re going to ensure social protection by partnering with National Pension Commission (PENCOM) to ensure our members enjoy healthy retirement benefits.

“Similarly, we understand that health is wealth, we’ll partner Health Maintenance Organization (HMOs) for affordable medical health insurance scheme for our members and families

“We’ll explore Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN’s) loan products such as Home Revolution Loans, Rent-to-Own and Home Ownership Loans.

Appreciating Tinubu for the approval and certification of the union, Ogu identified other benefits of traders as retirement savings plans for members to contribute to their pension funds.

State Commandant, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Daniel Onyeishi pledged the Agency’s readiness to partner with the market leaders to ensure drug abuse free-markets.

Onyeishi, represented by Deputy State Commander, Nwannenaya Chukwunyere urged the traders to avail the agency of any useful information that could assist her in carrying out its statutory mandate, promising to treat them with utmost confidentiality.

“Our mandate is to ensure our society is free from drugs and substance abuse which are rampant around us, including our markets.

“Our mandate is also to arrest, investigate and prosecute all related cases. But we can’t do it alone; reason we’re collaborating with traders to ensure our markets are no longer safe heaven for criminals.

“If you have any useful information, please feel free to pass such to us and allow us to do the needful,” he added.

State Coordinator, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Anambra State Office 1, Engr Hussani Emmanuel who represented Director General, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke reitereted the organization’s commitment to eradicating all forms of substandard products in the state.

“The DG since assumption of duty has done a lot towards eradicating substandard products, including increased enforcement of certification for products and services and training of officers for increased service delivery.

“This has led to improved working relationship with market leaders in the state. We look forward to working with the newly inducted leaders.

Declaring the ocassion open, Chairman of the day, Chief Mike Emerah expressed joy over the significant achievement of establishing the union in the state.

“We’re happy to have this association in Anambra and will continue to progress in the state until it becomes no 1 in Nigeria considering the caliber of people that make up the body,” he said.