Anambra Constitutes Taskforce On MArkets Reform

The Anambra Government is to constitute a task-force on ways to reform the markets in the state for maximum and adequate planning.

Mr Robert Okonkwo, the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, said this on Wednesday, in Awka, at a meeting with the chairmen of all the markets in the state.

According to him, the exercise will involve the enumeration of stalls and traders in the different markets across the state, adding that it would not cost the traders any money .

Okonkwo emphasised that the essence of the exercise was to ensure sanity and orderliness as well as enable the government to know the kind of facilities to be provided.

The commissioner announced that the exercise would commence on Monday, starting from the Main market, Bridge head, Onitsha, Eke-AwkaMarket, and Awka, among others.

“The state government will follow the exercise methodically to achieve results as well as engage experts to handle the job,” he said.

Okonkwo cautioned against any unlawful conduct in the markets and urged the traders to report any extortion.

Mr Okwudili Ezenwankwo, the President-General of all market leaders in the state, said that the thrust of the enumeration was to collect data of all market stalls and traders in the state.

He said that the exercise would boost the internally generated revenue of the state government.

The commissioner gave an assurance that the traders would work with the government to realise its vision to move the state forward.