AWKA – Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo, President-General of Amalgamated Market Traders Association of Anambra State (AMATAS), has urged the Federal Government to curb the incessant extortion of traders conveying goods on highways.
Ezenwankwo made the appeal in an interview with newsmen at the election of executives of Eke-Awka market chapter of AMATAS in Awka on Sunday.
He said the extortion was affecting traders, adding: “the extortion mostly on highways is one of the daunting challenges the traders are facing in the course of doing their businesses.
“We know what it takes to bring down our goods from Lagos or Onne Sea Port to the South-East.
“Some of us who bring goods from outside the country are not disturbed the way Nigeria security officials treat traders on the roads,” he said.[eap_ad_1] He commended the state government for creating the enabling environment for traders to thrive, adding that the state had the least tax levied on traders in the South-East.
The president-general also commended the maturity and comportment of the traders during the election, and charged the new leadership to see their election as service to God and humanity.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman of Eke-Awka Market, Chief Emeka Agumadu, promised to draw the attention of government to the lingering challenges of electricity and water in the market.
Agumadu assured the traders that his administration would ensure improvement in the security and upgrading of the market to an international standard.
Other members of the executive were Mr Echezona Obiano, Vice Chairman; Mr Emeka Anemezie, Secretary; Mr Austine Okolie, Assistant Secretary; and Mr Uchendu Efobi, Financial Secretary, among others.
The state government had appointment a caretaker committee to oversee the market following the leadership crisis that rocked the market for four years. (NAN)
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