The commissioner of Commerce and Industry for Anambra State has reacted to a petition written to Governor Soludo by Anambra Traders under the aegis of a certain group known as, Anambra Elite Traders Forum (AETF).
The traders has in the petition accused the commissioner of selling market leadership offices to the highest bidder.
The Elite traders in the petition accused the honourabble commissioner of allegedly disobeying court process at the New Auto Spare Parts market where he approved the construction of new shops on top of the existing ones owned by members of the association without their consent.
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The petition read in parts, “We wish to intimate your Excellency that the commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr Obinna Ngonadi is presently selling the leadership offices in tghe different markets in Anambra State to the highest bidders.
“The sale bazaar has passed through many markets which include Bridge-Head Market, Nkpor Main Market, Electronics Market Ogbaru, Ose okwuodu Market, Ogbaru Main Market, NASPA Nnewi Market and several other Markets.
“In each of these markets, the commissioner auctioned the different executive officers and positions existing in the markets, wherein traders paid varying sums of money for these positions.
“The commissioner ignore in a brazen manner, different court cases pending in respect of his unlawful removal of market leaders.
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However, the commissioner in a press release has called their action ‘Desperate, Predicted and an attempt to tarnish his image, who has persistently rejected advances for financial inducement made by criminals acting as puppet masters to the Elite Traders Forum’.
Read the full press statement below:
RESPONDING TO ISSUES RAISED IN A PETITION BY A FACELESS GROUP KNOWN AS ANAMBRA ELITE TRADERS FORUM
A letter purportedly written by a group of faceless individuals under the auspices of Anambra Elite Traders Forum, a group completely alien to the leadership and traders in markets. This group suddenly sprung up a few weeks ago, making frivolous claims and casting aspersions on the person of Dr. Obinna Ngonadi, the Anambra State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry. Their actions suspiciously corresponded with the timing of very crucial decisions taken by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in few markets, which we do not consider a coincidence as we know the desperation of the primary actors behind the ploy.
No effort to tarnish the image of Mr. Commissioner will succeed because he has persistently rebuffed advances for financial inducement made by these criminals acting as puppet masters to the Elite Traders Forum. The Commissioner will continue to resist such overtures irrespective of what channel they chose to wade through. However, for the sake of posterity we will quickly respond to a few of these malicious allegations by this malevolent group, who are pained that there usual status quo of clinging to the leadership of markets and swindling their unions and government of its revenue over the years, has been curbed.
1. Sunday Obinze of Bridge Head Market, was a two term Chairman of Bridge Head Market Traders Association, and in suspicious circumstances he was made Caretaker of same Union, which was to end in February 2022. In order to elongate his tenure and continue his illegal activities in the market, he resorted to registering another Association known as Bridge Head International Traders Association; where he made himself Board of Trustees Chairman. After gaining recognition from the ministry under whatever guise he once more became the Chairman of the Bridge head Market under the new association. He is also being investigated for non-remittance of State Government revenue from 2019 – 2021, alongside other illegalities, which he, in connivance with other conspirators perpetuated in Bridge Head Market; including building unauthorized shops and plazas and collecting money from traders as permit to erect structures in the market. The recognition of the Union he registered was subsequently withdrawn by the Commissioner, while the old and bonafide Union; Bridge Head Market Traders Association was reinstated. He has officially been petitioned for non-remittance Government Revenue from 2019 – 2021, and has been passed on to the relevant authorities for further action.
2. Ose Market and Ogbaru Main Market Unions was dissolved on the instructions of Mr. Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo who was fully aware of the irregularities that accompanied their elections.
3. NASPA Nnewi was dissolved as the Chairman has stayed as the caretaker for more than four years. The chairman was also accused of approving the conversion of government properties in the market into shop which were sold off to individuals.
4. Electronics Market Ogbaru had the tenure of the leadership coming to an end, and the Union was preparing for elections, with prospective candidates buying forms from the Electoral Committee set up by the Union. This was in contravention of the order of Mr. Governor, that there will be no election in the markets until March and April 2023. The Ministry waded in and constituted a Caretaker Committee on June 23rd in line with the directives of the government.
5. New Auto Spare Parts Market is a legal issue and if there is a stay of execution from any court then the holders should have come forward with same. On the government part, the market has all the necessary approvals which includes a letter of recommendation from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and an approval from the Anambra State Physical Planning Board (ANSPPB) issued in September 2020 for upgrade of the existing market.
The security agencies have intervened in this matter, and stood with the court judgement for the Union to proceed with the construction, so this has little to do with the Commissioner as purported, because the Commissioner only assumed office as the Commissioner in April 2022.
It is important to state categorically, that there are no crises in Anambra Markets as claimed by this faceless group, this is not a mere claim but a verifiable fact. The markets have been peaceful and even old tussles which pervaded these markets before the appointment of the Mr. Commissioner has been resolved. Traders will testify that accountability and integrity have become the benchmark for leadership in their markets, as the Ministry has continued to engage market leaders on the principles, visions and mandate of the government.
On the issue of over 40 court cases against Mr. Commissioner, this is a mere figment of the imagination of the author of this malicious petition. The Ministry is aware of only two court cases against itself and one has been withdrawn by the plaintiff when he realized the futility in pursuing a case where the facts are clearly on the side of the government.
The Ministry of Commerce and Industry will not respond to the frivolous accusations of financial inducements as we are aware it is normal for aggrieved traders to smear appointees with such malicious accusations, in the quest to either put them under pressure to dance to their tune or frustrate their job. The Commissioner, Dr. Ngonadi remains undeterred by such antics and remain focused on discharging his duties to the best of his ability. The Commissioner has publicly warned against such inducements and have severally walked people out of his office for attempting such.
Mr. Eloka Maduekwe
SA to the Governor on Commerce and Industry
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