By Jude Atupulazi
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State, has commended the President General (PG) of Anambra State Amalgamated Traders’ Association (ASMATA) Chief Humphrey Anuna, for restoring relative peace and increase in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base of the markets in the State.
He made the commendation as the PG celebrated his one year in office at his Oraeri community, Aguata Local Government Area, adding that it was since the appointment of the PG by the Governor that the traders’ IGR, was increased from N400 million annually to N4.5 billion.
His words: ‘The PG has even pledged to generate N5 billion instead of N4.5 billion, stating that 70 per cent of business activities in the state is trading. There is massive improvement on IGR.’
The Governor, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Trade and Commerce, Hon. Evarist Ubah, said that apart from enabling environment put in place for traders in the state, Governor Soludo had also touched many lives through human capital development, employment of teachers, medical personnel, introduction of one-youth,two-skills acquisition initiative, sack of touts, among others.
‘On infrastructure he has done over 400 kilometers of road within a short period and has improved on the transport system by working on scores of roads,’ Ubah stated.
Contributing, the chairman of the occasion, Chief Jude Nwankwo, expressed satisfaction that the PG’s appointment by Governor Soludo assisted immensely to the increase in IGR of traders in the market.
He said that 80 per cent of residents of Anambra State were traders, noting that the PG had served in various capacities as market leader which helped him to know sources of market revenue generation for the state government and that it contributed to the increased revenue base of the traders.
‘The PG has pledged to generate N5 billion on the latest IGR payment to the state government and his administration restored peace which for years eluded the traders,’ he said.
On the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Parks and Markets, Hon. Evarist Ubah, the chairman who is the ASMATA patron and also PG of Ogidi Building Materials International market, stated that Ubah was instrumental to the improvement on IGR and restoration of peace in all markets in the state.
‘Without the Special Adviser, Hon. Ubah, these achievements by the ASMATA PG would not have been possible. Uba’s appointment by Governor Soludo is a welcome development as it has sanitized the markets,’ he added.
In his own contribution, the Onitsha Zonal Chairman of ASMATA, Chief Emmanuel Obiagwu, commended the ASMATA PG for the celebration of one year in office, adding that the present ASMATA executive had been able to surpass previous regimes in terms of achievements.
‘We increased the revenue base, that is IGR of traders, from N4 million that was the highest IGR before we came in, to now N4.5 billion and hope to increase it to N5 billion, according to the PG. So we are doing well and Government is happy about it,’ he stated.
In his own contribution, the ASMATA Resolution committee chairman and secretary, Hon. Eric Uwaoma, and Comrade Peter Okala, respectfully, expressed satisfaction with the attainment of one year in office of the ASMATA PG, adding that the achievements of the present ASMATA executive led by Chief Humphrey Anuna, had surpassed the previous regimes, especially in areas of IGR and peace restoration.
Also the chairmen of Haruna and Sokoto Markets, Hon. Emmanuel Idoko and Hon. Emeka Mbachu, commended the ASMATA PG as he marked one year in office, pointing out that he changed the face of the markets from ugly to beauty via restoration of peace and improvement on IGR.
They said the markets had been sanitized and everybody was happy with the PG for restoring peace that eluded the traders for years. They said the appointment of PG changed the narrative.
The PG of Oraeri Community, Evangelist Alex Agudosi, while commending Governor Soludo for appointing their son as the ASMATA PG, disclosed that it was an appointment well deserved.
Also, the chairman of Nkpor New Auto Spare Parts Market, Chief Elysius Ozorkwere, commended the ASMATA PG for achieving the feat in just one year in office, noting that he was able to increase the IGR base and restored peace in the markets.
According to him, this feat would not have been possible without the contribution of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Commerce, Hon. Evarist Ubah, stating that the duo worked in synergy for the betterment of traders in the state. He commended Governor Soludo on their appointment.
In his response, the ASMATA PG commended all and sundry for felicitating him as he marked the one year in office, adding that without their contributions the celebration would not have been a success.
‘If not for you traders, your contributions and hard work, we would not have gone this far in restoring peace and increment on revenue base from N400 million before we came in, to N4.5 billion and even hoping to get to N5 billion in the next payment,’ he said.
