Abia State Deputy Governor, Engineer Ikechukwu Emetu has summoned the leadership of the Ekeoha Market Association to his office on Tuesday, 6th June for flouting the Governor’s directives on collection of market tolls and levies, including the erection of illegal structures that constitute threat to lives.
Engineer Emetu who handed down the directive while addressing a mammoth crowd and traders who trooped out en masse to receive him at the Ekeoha Shopping Center Aba, notified them that his boss and Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has also directed the immediate dissolution of all existing market committees in the State as well as suspension of all form of levies.
The Deputy Governor reiterated that the present administration will not tolerate those building shops on unapproved places while any form of extortion will not be tolerated from Govt
Speaking also at Ariaria international market, the Deputy Governor warned those who were still collecting illegal levies to desist from doing so or face the full wrath of Govt.
In their remarks, some of the traders, Mr Innocent Chinedu and Mrs. Chinasa Onu who could not hide their joy thanked the Dr. Alex Otti’s Govt for coming to their rescue and promised to give him all the necessary support and cooperation that will enable him to succeed in governance.
Meanwhile, Some Market Executives and other touts were apprehended, including the Chairman Ariaria International Market, Chief Michael Chijioke Amaku for their high-handedness and intimidation of traders in the illegal imposing of levies on them.