Business
Market Elders Lament Govt’s Income Generation Strategy
The former President, Onitsha Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, Chief Pius Ozoanikwe, has expressed disappointment over the failure of the state government to involve the market elders in its revenue generation plans.
Ozoanikwe said on Thursday in Onitsha, Anambra State that the development was not in the interest of the state given that the elders and patrons had massive influence on the traders.
He said he was sure the governor was not advised properly on the need to involve the elders in the state government’s plans on revenue generation.
According to him, the patrons have a lot of wise counsel to offer, a thing they have done with previous administrations dating back to the days of the defunct old Anambra State during the tenure of Jim Nwobodo as governor.
Ozoanikwe said that previous administrations in the state were able to collect huge internally-generated revenue from Onitsha markets because they worked with the market elders and patrons.
“The present governor likes to develop the state. He likes the traders to pay tax; but the problem is that some of his advisers or special advisers have ignored the business community leaders – the ex-leaders, who would have advised him on how to get traders or how to get something from them. They ignore us and they are failing.
“If you do it by force, Anambra will boil; but I pray God, let such never happen.
“There is a way if you approach a trader, he would reduce money for his goods; but if you give him order that you must give me discount, he can’t do it. That is the difference.
“The government wants to develop; they want them (traders) to pay tax. That is okay.
“Those who are advising the governor as far as market is concerned have failed the young man.”
Reports said that the payment for stallage and development levies imposed on traders have continued to generate hostility among the market traders.
The traders say they will pay only when they see the strategies that the government wants to employ for enhanced revenue collection and the plans for provision of infrastructure for the market.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
