Obi Tasks Onitsha Traders On Quality Goods

Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, has advised traders to always stock quality products to rid the country of sub-standard goods and build-up consumers’ confidence.

Obi, represented by his Special Adviser on Parks and Markets, Chief Sylvester Nwabualor, gave the advice at the inauguration of 5,200 shops in Oba International Market, near Onitsha.

The governor urged the traders to maintain high level of cleanliness in the market by setting-up a sanitation committee; adding: “market only strives in a clean and healthy environment’’.

Obi also advised the traders to kick against the operation of touts in the market, urging them to co-operate with security outfits and pay their security levies.

“This is a market that had been built to international standard from its on-set with public conveniences, electricity and located on a major road for accessibility,’’ Obi said.

The Traditional Ruler of Oba Community in Idemili South Local Government Area, Igwe Peter Ezenwa, thanked the state government for ensuring the completion of the market.

“Though, the building of the market took 15 years, we are glad that the initial plan of making it an international market was sustained.

“Over 2,500 shops had already been taken by traders,’’ Ezenwa, the Eze Okpoko 1 of Oba Community said.

President of the market, Chief Alex Emechebe, said that the traders and people of Oba were happy with the completion of the market, 15 years after it started.

In another development, two persons, a commercial motorcyclist and his passenger, have been crushed to death by an articulated vehicle on the Onitsha-Awka old road, near Onitsha.

The accident occurred at about 12:30 p.m., close to Afor-Nkpor market at the outskirts of Onitsha.

An eye witness at the scene of the accident, told newsmen that the driver of the articulated vehicle swerved to avoid collision with another vehicle that was packed on the road.

“The motorcyclist, lost control of his motorcycle while on high speed and

rammed into the articulated vehicle. He and his passenger were smashed and squeezed by the tyres of the articulated vehicle,’’ the eye witness said.

As at the time of filing this report, sympathisers were wailing at the spot of the incident; while the driver of the articulated vehicle drove off in his vehicle.

When contacted the Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Ogidi Police Station, Nkpor, Mr Rowland Omatoje, confirmed the incident.

“We are trailing the run-away driver and his vehicle,’’ Omatoje said.