Obiano lauds construction of stockfish International Market
The Executiv
e Governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano has praised the United Stockfish Dealers Association of Anambra State (USDAAS) for the construction of an Ultra-Modern International Market in the State.
e Governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr. Willie Obiano has praised the United Stockfish Dealers Association of Anambra State (USDAAS) for the construction of an Ultra-Modern International Market in the State.Obiano showered the praises on the owners of the market which was the amalgam of Ogbaru Stockfish Dealers Association (OSDA) and the Ose-Okwodu Stockfish Dealers Association (SFDA) while commissioning the ‘Stockfish International Market’ recently at km 3 Onitsha-Owerri Road, Obosi.
The Governor represented by the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Wealth Creation, Barr. (Mrs) Amaka Ilobi said that he was impressed by the ingenuity of traders, adding that the market was one of the best market built to meet international standards in the whole of South East of Nigerian.
“The governor considers construction of boreholes, toilet facilities and parking space for vehicles in a market for it to meet acceptable standards and I have seen all these in this market. In short I have not seen such a market like this built by a branch of a market to such a standard in the whole of South East”, Ilobi said.
Earlier in his address, the president of USDAAS, Mr. Anthony Muoka, said that the stockfish international market built with numerous infrastructural facilities like pipe borne water, stalls with in-built private toilet and modern plazas was initiated and completed to support the government’s effort in decongesting Onitsha metropolitan city.
However, Muoka appealed to the Governor to provide the market with a security patrol van and other security gadgets to enable the association beef up security. He also requested the government to construct a pedestrian bridge in front of the market to protect lives of pedestrian customers and equally enhance free flow of traffic along the Osha-Owerri Road.
Moreover, the USDAAS, president pleaded with the Governor to locate at least one Electoral Ward within the market environment for future general election purposes.
He also stressed that the State government grants USDAAS concession on internally generated revenue (IGR) fund to enable them offset some debts they owed to banks in the course of constructing the market, assuring that as law abiding citizens they will continue to pay traders tax.
Responding to the address, Barr. Ilobi said that the working governor would hear their request but pointed out that the IGR is the only thing that the government falls back on to be able to keep paying salaries of workers and pensions of pensioners and continue on other projects which were ongoing in various parts of the State and such should not be tampered.
The chairman organizing committee, Mr. Celestine Ezewulu said that he was happy that the government approved the building of the market and advised all users of the market facilities to imbibe maintenance culture.
In his vote of thanks Eze Osina, His highness Eze O.S.B. Igwilo said he was proud of his people who constituted up to 80 percent of the traders in the market. He thanked his fellow Igwe, HRM. Igwe Dubem Iweka III of Obosi, the governor’s representative, AMATAS president and others who saw to the successful building and commissioning of the market.