By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
The Anambra State Government, through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Market, has inaugurated caretaker committee members for the Onitsha Scrap Dealers Association, Nkpikpa Chapter, located in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The inauguration ceremony, witnessed by Hon. Peter Okeke, a representative from the Anambra State Ministry of Trade and Commerce, marked the official handover to the newly appointed committee members. The Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the market, Mr. Chijioke Unegbu, commended traders for their patience in awaiting government action since they were unable to conduct elections after the tenure of the previous leadership expired due to a directive from the state government.
Mr. Unegbu explained that the government has appointed this caretaker committee to lead the market forward. He presented an official letter, signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Market, Chief Sir Evarist Uba, outlining the appointments.
The letter, titled “Constitution of the Caretaker Committee Members for Onitsha Scrap Dealers Association, Nkpikpa Chapter, Ogbaru LGA,” was made available to newsmen. It reads:
“Following the expiration of the tenure of the elected officers of the Onitsha Scrap Dealers Association, Nkpikpa Chapter, Ogbaru, and the ban on all forms of market elections by His Excellency, the Governor, the Anambra State Government, through the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, has hereby constituted the following persons as members of the caretaker committee for the Onitsha Scrap Dealers Association, Nkpikpa Chapter, Ogbaru LGA, to ensure the administration of the market and the effective collection of government revenue.”
The committee members listed in the letter are as follows:
– Sunday Nwagu – Chairman
– Sunday Eriobu- Secretary
– Uche Nwankwo- Assistant Secretary
– Thaddeus Aguocha – Financial Secretary
– Collenus Unegbu – Treasurer
– Ikechukwu Ukachi – Public Relations Officer
– Hagai Onyeacho – Provost
The letter further states:
1. This appointment is effective from November 1, 2024.
2. This committee shall ensure prompt payment of government revenues by all association members, as is customary in other markets within the state, and will periodically submit evidence of remittance to the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets.
3. The state government reserves the right to terminate this appointment before the expiration of the caretaker committee’s tenure, without recourse to the members.
After the letter was read and the committee formally inaugurated, the traders celebrated with songs in solidarity with the new leadership.
In his address to the traders, Mr. Sunday Nwagu, the caretaker committee chairman, expressed gratitude to the traders, saying, “May God take the glory. We are here to earn our daily bread, and may we all succeed in Jesus’ name. We need peace in this market, and this administration is for everyone, not just me.” He urged the traders to set aside past grievances and collaborate with his administration to move the market forward, adding, “I promise to be a leader, not a ruler, and will operate an open-door policy. I will prioritize security and ensure peace in this market.”
Mr. Nwagu highlighted security as his top priority, noting that theft and burglary have been significant challenges in the market. He expressed appreciation to the Anambra State Government for entrusting them with this responsibility and pledged to replicate the good work of Governor Charles Soludo within the market.
Chief John Awusi-ofor, Chairman of the Market Board of Trustees, thanked the government for the timely and welcome decision to establish a caretaker committee. He emphasized that the selected members are the traders’ choice, predicting they will bring lasting peace to the market.
Also speaking, Mr. Onyedika Uba, a BOT member known as “Nkwachukwu Kwere of Isuofia,” praised the state government, noting that the committee appointments fulfilled the traders’ prayers for effective leadership. He expressed appreciation to Governor Soludo, the Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, and Barrister Sylvester Chinedu Ike, Permanent Secretary for Trade and Commerce, for their initiative. Mr. Uba prayed for wisdom for the caretaker committee and urged the traders to support them fully in providing sound leadership.
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