Suleiman Anyalewechi, Aba
Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti, says merit, capacity, ability to deliver, and commitment not indigeneship driving and shaping his administration, adding that the task of rebuilding the state after many years of retrogression far outweighs any other considerations.
This is even as he has assured that all qualified and capable hands no matter where they come from will be tapped to help in the rebuilding process.
Gov Otti, who spoke at the occasion of the 2023 end of the year prayers celebrations organized by Aba traders on Thursday, November 9, 2023 in the commercial hub trumped up the leadership of Eziukwu Road ( formerly Cemetery ) market the host of the prayers session, for their sterling leadership qualities, describing them as an eloquent testimonial of the goals and objectives of his administration.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, Dr Chimereze Okigbo, Gov Otti appreciated the positive reformatory measures put in place at Eziukwu Road market by the Sir Alphonsus Udeigbo led Interim management team within the short period of their inauguration.
While reiterating government’s readiness to deliver on its campaign promises, especially in the area of infrastructural renewal, Dr Otti appealed to the traders to lend a helping hand by promptly and religiously observing their civic obligations, noting that the task of repositioning Abia requires enormous financial commitment.
Newscritic.com.ng reports that the prayers session, which attracted thousands of traders and other market users, across the state and beyond afforded participants the opportunity of rededicating themselves, and their businesses to God, as well as appreciating Him for his protection and guidance throughout the outgoing year.
Sir Udeigbo, Chairman of Eziukwu Road who also doubles as the chairman of all chairmen of Aba markets, thanked Gov Otti for demonstrating responsive and responsible approach to governance by slashing the annual revenue payable by traders from N21,000 to N18, 000
He, therefore, called on the traders to reciprocate the gesture, by ensuring the payment of all lawful government levies before the end of the year.
To ensure an effective and market friendly operations, Sir Udeigbo who was the chief host of the end of the year prayers celebration, reeled out some reformatory measures for Eziukwu Road market.
Top on the reformatory list include, the computerization of all revenue collection, improved security network with CCTV, 24 hours surveillance of the market, the installation of security gates at all strategic entry and exit points to be manned by trained market security personnel.
Others are the abolition of the collection all levies outside government approved levies, prohibition of the collection of motor park levies from commercial vehicles operators within the precincts of the market.
“Let the motor park operators limit their operations to the parks and leave the market alone. Traders and other market users should only pay all government approved levies. Every payment has to be receipted and conducted online. This is to ensure that government revenues do not end up in private pockets,” Udeigbo stated.