Anambra Govt Commissions 500KV Transformer, Urges traders to pay stallage levies
By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
In its bid to ensure constant power supply in the state, the Special Adviser to Governor Charles Soludo on Markets, Chief Evarist Uba on 8th Oct. commissioned 500kv transformer at Bridgehead Drug market (Ogbogwu)
The commissioning which was preceded by a prayer session attracted the Chairman of Onitsha South local Government area, Hon. Emeka Orji, Bridge Head Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Ineke Richard Nnamdi, (SP), chairman of the Drug market, Chief Ndubuisi Chukwuleta, stakeholders, among others.
Speaking, the governor’s aide, Uba, urged the traders to ensure payment of the stallage levy of #19,500 per annum adding that it was even less compared with what tricycle operators pay, #2.500 in a wee which amounts to #10,000 a month.
He reminded the traders that it was the levy they pay that was part of the money used by the state government for the rapid infrastructural development of the state.
The aide expressed satisfaction with the market chairman, Ndubuisi, for his efforts in procuring a new transformer to replace the old one adding that he has contributed immensely to the progress of the market.
He recalled that the revenue generated by the market last year was more than what the entire Bridgehead market generated and urged the traders of Ogbogwu to maintain the tempo.
On election he told them that election would be conducted after the gubernatorial election billed for 8 November in the state and urged the traders to wait until after the election.
The Special Adviser warned the traders that whoever that his shop is locked up over non payment of stallage levy has no right whatsoever to break the key used to lock up the shop as such amounts to illegal action that goes with sanction against the person.
Contributing, the Council Chairman, Orji, collaborated the position of Uba, and advised the traders to pay the stallage levies to assist the government in its development of the state.
He admitted that there is crisis in the market which prompted the demand for election and pleaded to the traders to wait until after the governor’s election.
Orji expressed satisfaction with the installation and commissioning of the 500kv transformer stating that light makes life easier even as he reiterated the need for peace in the market.
Earlier in his speech, the market chairman, Ndubuisi, recalled that lack of power supply has been the major problem of the traders apart from alleged dealing in fake drugs by enemies of the market which he has continued to fight.
“The former transformer has been replaced with this 500kv transformer we procured to supply power to the market. We started having light on Friday after the installation and today we resolve to commission it for the good of the traders
“Our prayer is that we will continue to work for the interest of the traders and let the traders continue to support us, the executive, to move the market forward,” he pleaded.
Pix shows aide middle, L-R Drug chairman, DPO
