Bridge-Head market intensifies action against touts, bans illegal levies on wheelbarrow pushers, hawkers, others

By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha

In his efforts to consolidate State Government’s prohibition of illegal revenue collection, the President-General of Bridge-Head Market, Onitsha Anambra state, Hon. Chinedu Ezekwike has announced end to the practice of collecting money from wheel barrow pushers and hawkers  in the Market.

Hon. Ezekwike popularly known as Akwaeke of Umuchu made the disclosure while addressing traders at the midyear prayer session held in their Market yesterday.

“I want to use this opportunity to remind you people once again on the ban of touts and collecting money from wheel barrow pushers and hawkers in this Market. Nobody should collect money from wheel barrow pushers and hawkers again.

I have constituted taskforce for its enforcement. So, report to taskforce if you see any person who does that, we will treat the person like a criminal and after we hand him over to law enforcement agency. If you see something, say something..I run open door policy. You are free to come and lay complaint or suggestions that would move our Market forward” Said Ezekwike.

He extolled Governor Soludo on the commencements of work on the Niger Street road which according to him linked Bridge-Head Market, hinting that the road help traders and their customers to access Market easily. 

” Let me also announce to you that Senator Stella Oduah has redeemed her pledge of (#2,000,000) which she made to the Ogbogwu fire victims and the money has been given to the beneficiaries. The official closing time of our Market is 5pm daily. And remember to switch off all electrical appliances before closing your stores to avoid sudden fire out brake. It is only Odigbo line were given grace of 5.30pm to enable them arrange their wares and close respectively” Said the Market boss.

He equally disclosed to the traders that second Thursdays of every month would be Market sanitation exercise throughout the state, saying that the order was issued by the leadership of Anambra state Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA). 

Hon. Ezekwike in a special way lauded the Market Evangelism team for their efforts in bringing fiary priest, Rev. Fr. Jude Uchegbosi to bless traders during their mid year prayer and also praised Market (BOT) and executives for their unalloyed support in the affairs of the Market.