From Ifeoma Ejiofor
The president of ASMATA in the Nnewi zone comprising Nnewi North, South, Ekwusigo, and Ihiala local government areas, Chief Leonard Onwuatuegwu (Dim Odogwu), says no illegal structure would be allowed to stand in the market.
Dim Odogwu, during an interactive session with journalists on new year’s day, said that the decision is in line with the policy of the administration of Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo.
The Zonal President of ASMATA said that anyone, no matter how highly placed, who breached the government’s directive on the illegal structure must face the music.
Chief Onwuatuegwu, whose appointment was announced on 1st December and got inaugurated mid-December by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said normalcy must return to the Nnewi market.
This, according to him, has become imperative so that the popular Nnewi market can retake her pride of place in the comity of markets in Anambra State.
He pointed out that he has met with the leadership of the nine markets that constitute the Nnewi main market to notify them of the government’s policy thrust and also ascertain their areas of needs and challenges.
“Nnewi main market used to be placed second after Onitsha, but today, we are hearing that Idemili and Ogbaru markets have pushed Nnewi market to an unenviable fourth position in the scheme of things. This is not acceptable! We must all work together to address the situation.” Dim Odogwu asserted.
Chief Onwuatuegwu expressed his determination to revive the popular Nnewi market and other markets under his jurisdiction.
The Zonal President of ASMATA however expressed concern that the chairman of Nnewi Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA) Mr Earnest Mgbonye commenced illegal construction of gutters in the market.
The gutters being constructed, according to Dim Odogwu, have reduced the road space in the market, noting that the report reaching him indicates that the chairman was induced to embark on the construction by an importer.
He said that he has to move into the market with the Give Way Taskforce put in place by the President General of ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna (Onwa Oraeri), to stop the illegal gutter construction.
Dim Odogwu, while commenting on the collapsed security in the Nnewi main market, said that he has addressed the issue and that Bakassi operatives would return to the market in mid-January.
The zonal PG of ASMATA also appealed to traders in particular and Ndi-Anambra, in general, to cooperate with the Anambra State Governor, Prof Charles Soludo, in his bid to give the state a five-star performance.