Mile One Traders Pledge Cooperation

The Mile One Market Traders Association (MOMTA), has affirmed its resolve to cooperate with the Port Harcourt City Local Government Council (PHALGA), in the management of the market.

Speaking to The Tide after the resumption of duty as the newly elected chairman of MOMTA, Deacon Kenneth Eze, said that what has taken place in the Mile One market is history, pointing out that, the last time they had election in the association was in 1996 when one Elder ThankGod Ebere was brought to power.

He said that the election that brought him to power was an act of God, adding that traders got tired of the crisis in the association, which caused the last caretaker chairman, Chief Y.O.C Georgewill, to stay up to two and half years, instead of just three months, as the union’s constitution provides.

The chairman attributed the success of the election to the sincerity and commitment  of the Mayor of Port Harcourt, Chimbiko Akarolo, whom he said intervened during the crisis and set up a committee to conduct the election.

Deacon Eze described the Mayor as a “Man of his Word”, who kept his promise to ensure that the committee conduct election within one month and thanked him for all his efforts.

According to him, “we want to move the market forward and  would like all members of the association to enjoy equal rights and opportunities, irrespective of tribe and religion”, adding that his leadership will run an open policy to enable every members to come together to work in unity.

He said that the new executive is focused on ensuring that there is unity and security in the market, adding that they would achieve a lot when there is total peace.

The MOMTA chairman also exonerated the Mile One police from the allegation that they fueled the crisis, saying that the police had no hand in the crisis.

Corlins Walter