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Tag: Traders

  • ONICCIMA Calls for Dialogue as Anambra Shuts Onitsha Main Market

    ONICCIMA Calls for Dialogue as Anambra Shuts Onitsha Main Market

    The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) has urged the Anambra State Government to embrace dialogue in resolving the closure of Onitsha Main Market, warning that prolonged shutdowns could deepen economic hardship for traders and residents.

    The appeal followed a one-week closure of the market ordered by Governor Chukwuma Soludo in response to the continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home across parts of the state.

    In a statement signed by its President, Chinedu Nwonu, and made available to journalists in Onitsha on Wednesday, the chamber acknowledged the constitutional duty of government to maintain law, order, and an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, noting that such stability is critical to the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    ONICCIMA said government records indicate that the South-East loses an estimated ₦19.6 billion weekly to sit-at-home activities, with Anambra State accounting for about ₦8 billion of that figure.

    It warned that the scale and frequency of the losses pose a serious risk of economic dislocation and instability.

    While expressing support for decisive actions to restore lawful economic activities, the chamber cautioned against the use of prolonged market closures as punitive measures, describing them as economically and socially damaging.

    According to the chamber, the closure of Onitsha Main Market disrupts supply chains, erodes investor confidence, heightens social tension, and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of households dependent on daily trading activities.

    It added that continued disruption of market operations could negatively affect manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, and retailers nationwide, leading to scarcity of goods, increased transportation costs, and inflationary pressures that would ultimately be borne by consumers.

    ONICCIMA therefore called on the state government to strike a balance between enforcement and engagement, security and economic sensitivity, and authority and partnership, in the overall interest of the people and the state’s economy.

    It urged the government to restore confidence, protect businesses, and ensure the full return of Onitsha Main Market to normal Monday-to-Saturday operations in a safe, secure, and sustainable manner.

  • Alaba Market Demolition- Ohaneze bemoans plight of Igbo traders

    The Ohaneze Ndigbo has expressed concern over the lingering problems in Lagos over the planned demolition of some property at the Alaba Market dominated by Igbo traders.

    The President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said this in a statement issued by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia on Saturday in Enugu.

    Ohaneze said since the disturbing news broke out, they had made investigations in order to establish the true state of affairs.

    Iwuanyanwu said, “The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been drawn to several fake publications circulating on social media alleging a decision by the Lagos State Government to take actions to victimize the Igbo citizens domiciled in Lagos”.

    He said based on its investigation, one reliable source, Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, Member, Lagos State Market Advisory Council said, “the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority has been issuing warnings as regards the obstruction of some waterways”.

    Ukatu, who is also the President Ndigbo-Amaka Progressive Market Association, Lagos, added “all that happened at Alaba and the emergency visit by the state government officials were directly about those blocking the free flow of water through the provided water ways”.

    Ukatu explained that the directive as “not in any way related to plazas and shops on the markets or along the market road”.

    He enjoined all and sundry to “disregard the statements and video messages trending on the internet and admonished that such propaganda was not necessary for the Igbos at this time”.

    Another Alaba resident, Chief Ikechukwu Okolo told Ohaneze that, some structures were erected on waterways, thereby obstructing drainages and causing flooding, especially during the rainy seasons.

    Okolo stated that, “the owners of the affected structures have since been notified, for months, but as we can see, each time the execution order was to be effected, corrupt Government officials would get compromised, and the flooding challenge continues, until this time”.

    Chief Evaristus Ozonweke, an Ohaneze chieftain, resident in Lagos, has also validated the above position.

    Iwuanyanwu urged the Lagos State Environment and Development Authority (LASEDA) to exercise prudence and best considerations in discharging their duties as he asked the Igbo in Lagos to remain calm.

    He, therefore, indicated a pressing need to visit Lagos and the South West in the next few weeks as he was very optimistic that during the visit, all the challenges confronting the Igbo in Lagos would be addressed.