Anambra Traders Fingers Obiano’s Commissioner for Corruption

From OUR BUSINESS DESK  (ONITSHA)  

Traders in Anambra state under the aegis of Integrity group has vowed to stop the political ambition of the State Commissioner for Trade, Markets and Wealth Creation, Hon. Uchenna Okafor, who is allegedly eyeing the House of Representatives, for allegedly imposing caretaker committees in most of the markets instead of conducting elections for the traders to elect their leaders.

The traders, who spoke through their chairman, Chief Obinna Madu, who was flanked by his secretary, Onyeka Udeogaranya, said that “enormous money is being collected by the commissioner, about #10million from any candidate he installs as a caretaker committee chairman in any of the markets”

“He is eyeing to be a member of the House of Representatives in the next political dispensation, so he wants money to prepare himself at the detriment of others and it is unacceptable.”

“We shall petition the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and drag him to court if Governor Willie Obiano does not sack him for milking the traders”

“Presently there are crises in most markets because of imposition of caretaker committees. At Onitsha main market the caretaker leadership has stayed over three years now, same at Ochanja, Relief market Ogbaru, among others”

In a Save Our Soul, S0S, message which was copied to newsmen in Onitsha, they reiterated their resolve to protest at Awka, state capital, in no distant time if nothing was done towards stopping the imposition and sacking of the commissioner.

“The Commissioner sponsors crisis in markets and asks concerned traders to petition him and that  enables him to extend the tenure of caretaker committee involved so long the committee oils his palm”

They cautioned the Governor-elect, Prof. Charles Soludo, not to involve the commissioner in his government adding, “he will continue from where he stopped if involve again”

In a swift reaction when contacted, the Commissioner denied all the allegations levelled against him describing them as false, frivolous and a figment of their imagination.

The Commissioner who spoke through his permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Trade, Ike Samuel, described the traders as a kangaroo group.

“No money is being collected from any trader for any office. Disregard them and their utterances that have no base”
“Don’t mind them, they are a kangaroo selfish group. Selfish interest is their problem and I know who is instigating the traders against the commissioner.”

“He must be within that Ochanja market axis because there is problem in that Ochanja market.”

“The incumbent chairman has finished his tenure both as elected and appointed and wants to remain in office.”
“We also have crisis at Relief market Ogbaru and hope to conduct election there in the first quarter of next year.

We only appoint caretaker committees where there are crises to help restore peace pending when an election will be held”