By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Anambra State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Obinna Ngonadi, is insisting that illegal attachments, structures built to block the market streets in Onitsha Main Market would be pulled down by the state government.

The Commissioner said the action was to enable vehicles pass through the market.

Ngonadi made the statement while addressing market leaders at Anambra State Market Traders Association, ASMTA, Secretariat, along Modebe Avenue, Onitsha, Anambra State.

“Those illegal attachments, structures you built blocking the market streets, when we come, we will pull them down so that vehicles will pass through the market,” the Commissioner said.

Ngonadi warned traders in the state to stop coming to his office for favour by giving him bribe, urging such persons to do the right thing as demanded by the State Government.

He advised the traders to ensure accurate enumeration of market shops, adding that some of them have continued to cheat the government by not presenting accurate number of market shops.

“Stop coming to give me bribe because I don’t take bribe; do the right thing, don’t accuse us of destroying illegal structures in the market. If we come, we destroy it.

“We know all these tricks and it is better you stop it and do the right thing to also know what government generates from the market and what to remit to your leadership.

“If you help us in the enumeration, your income will be increased because government needs money for rapid infrastructural development of the state.

“Again, stop gossips and petition writing to me or Governor. If you have problems, get to your leadership or ASMATA leadership before coming to me for assistance.

“Let me warn that market chairmen should not be using market elders to work because what it means is that you are not in good terms with your executive and I will have no other option than to dissolve that market and appoint new executive,” he added.

In his response, the ASMATA President, Chief Ikechukwu Ekwegbalu, commended the Commissioner for the laudable programmes the government has for the traders and pledged that they would abide by all decisions of the government.

He said that cleansing of markets have become regular in all markets in line with government resolve to make the state a better place to live in.

Ekwegbalu pleaded with the Commissioner to allow the leadership of the market do some minor jobs like ensuring free flow of traffic in the markets and settlement of issues among traders instead of the government doing it, noting that government would not do it all alone.

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