By Kamsi Anayo, Awka
Anambra traders under the Onitsha South Shop Owner Trader Association of Nigeria (OSSOTAN) have embarked on demolition of illegal structures in their markets to obey the directives of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.
It would be recalled that the state government has recently marked over 1000 illegal shops at the Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Market, Onitsha and shanty shops within for demolition.
A worship Centre belonging to a popular Pastor Chukwuemeka Ohanemere alias “Odumeje” built on a drainage channel was demolished by state government taskforce.
Chief Eric Uwaoma, President General of the association, who led other leaders in the exercise succeeded in dismantling the illegal structures on the roads and water way channels that have for many years defied successive government orders.
Others in the exercise are Chairman of Haruna Street Traders Association Onitsha, Chief Emmanuel Idoko, Chairman Bida Road Traders Association Onitsha, Chief Chima Esionye, Chairman Soloto Road Traders Association Onitsha, Hon Emeka Mbachu and Chairman Kano Street Traders Association Onitsha, Chief Nonso Ihejiahwa.
Speaking during the exercise, the market leaders expressed joy for the easy vehicular movements in and out of the market.
“For the first time in over 20 years vehicles could not pass through the roads to the markets without struggling for space with people.
They warned traders, tricycle operators and articulated vehicle drivers who trade, load and off load goods on the roads and streets along the market area to desist or have them impounded.
They commended the governor and Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr Obinna Ngonadi for the imitative, urging the traders to support it because it is for their own goods.
They however appealed to the governor to save the collapsing Nwangele River Bridge linking their markets with the Onitsha Main Market and Niger Bridge through which customers access their markets.
They added that if the bridge is allowed to collapse, government and traders will loose huge amount of revenue.
Also two elders of the unions, Chief Godwin Chinyeluba and Chief Emma Nkwo respectively thanked the governor for finding it worthy for the traders to conduct their businesses in a conducive environment.
They urged government to sustain the exercise, so that the roads and streets will be free of illegal structures.
Leaders of the taskforce of Haruna street, Sokoto road and Bida road respectively promised to ensure that the roads and streets are free on daily basis, while warning traders and tricycle operators to desist from trading and loading along roads.