Market Leaders in Anambra state root for Obiano’s second term

www.odogwublog.com reports that Governor Willie Obiano has appealed to traders in the State to be alive to their civic obligations towards the growth and development of the state.
Governor Obiano made the appeal when he met yesterday with Market Leaders in the state at the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia.
The meeting which attracted Chairmen and Secretaries of the 61 markets in the state, is part of efforts by the present administration to constantly intimate critical stakeholders on its programmes and policies with a view to carrying them along in the state governance.
Addressing the Market leaders, Governor Obiano revealed that his government has a comprehensive welfare package for the traders and despite its lean resources, has continued to pay workers' salaries, a development that has kept enough money in circulation to ensure that activities in the markets do not crumble in the face of the present economic recession.
The governor who emphasized that the economic stimulus package of his administration was introduced to give financial respite to the very low income earners in the society, urged the market leaders to ensure the full implementation of the initiative especially as it concerns ban on sale of emblems and collection of wheelbarrow tax and hawkers' permit.
Governor Obiano said a new strategy has been developed where very key government officials will be attending monthly prayer meetings at the various markets to constantly brief them on what the present administration is doing as well as to bring feedback on areas they require government attention.
Governor Obiano further said immediately the 2017 State budget is passed by the State House of Assembly, projects worth 10 million naira will commence in each of the 61 markets in the state, aimed at impacting the lives of the traders.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Southeast Amalgamated Traders Association and President of the State Amalgamated Traders Association, AMATAS, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo said what the present administration has done in the area of government-traders relationship is highly commendable, hence the support which Anambra and SouthEast Traders are giving to him.
He revealed their willingness to work with all their machineries for the return of Governor Obiano for a second term in office in view of the visible transformation is administration has brought to the state.
On his part, the State Commander of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade, Chief Kenneth Okonkwo assured that his agency will work more closely with the market traders to ensure that impostors who still collect the proscribed levies and taxes in the markets are flushed out.
The meeting also featured private sessions where the traders discussed with the Governor on other issues bordering on their welfare.