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Akwa Ibom State Traders Association under the leadership of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Market Matters, Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael has moved to put an end to forceful market unions in the State, in order to alleviate the sufferings of Akwa Ibom market people.
Over the weekend, the Akwa Ibom State Market Monitoring Team took a tour of Urua Akpan Andem and Urua Mbakara in Uyo and other markets in Ikot Ekpene respectively.
Speaking at Urua Akpan Andem, Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael maintained that no trader should be forced to belong to any market union, affirming that such an act is punishable by law.
“The leadership of Akwa Ibom State Traders had agreed that no one should be forced to be part of any union.
“This is because Pastor Umo Eno has seen that things are difficult already for anyone to be forced to join any group.
“One month ago, a law was passed by the leadership of Akwa Ibom State Traders that unions should not force people to be part of them but one could join voluntarily.
“We came to confirm if such acts are still being carried out here. No one should be bullied, and if the bully is caught, such a person will be treated like a criminal”, he said.
He also mentioned that everyone has the right to sell their products in the market any day they choose to without restrictions, adding that sharing of days for traders to sell in the market should be discontinued.
“There are no more regulated market days. Anyone has the right to bring anything to the market to sell. Bring your wares and come to the market any day you like.
“Nobody should stop you from selling any day you want to. Sellers are permitted to report such persons to the the market president or the nearest police station.
“Governor Umo Eno does not want people to pass through added stress in this trying times. So I urge everyone to abide by the rules of Akwa Ibom Market Association” he hinted.
Addressing the issue of ticketing in the Akpan Andem market, he explained that it would be tackled as he was willing to work with the market management to cushion the effect of it.
“I have had complaints about tickets in the market. I will speak with the Local Government chairman. I don’t have the right to announce it now.
“Few months ago, we did so at Itam Market. Now if you go to Itam, every Friday is a free ticket day. So I will speak with the chairman to see the need to give you a day too at Akpan Andem Market. I will also work with the market management and they will announce it soonest.”
Speaking also at Urua Mbakara, the Governor’s Aide said that he was happy to discover the absence of union or ticketing in Ikot Ekpene market, reiterating that no one should be forced to join any market union.
He further revealed that the Governor’s plan to build an international market in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area still stands, and that it is a proof that he has good intentions for both the traders and people of Ikot Ekpene.
“One of the things the Governor said during his one year in office is that he will build an international market for Ikot Ekpene people.
“If you observe, Ikot Ekpene is very close to Aba and if they have an enabling environment, a lot of people will leave Aba and come to Ikot Ekpene to do business. So the government has a good intention for the people and traders of Ikot Ekpene” he disclosed.
Mr Raphael added that the Governor had released N1.5 billion interest-free loan to traders with N500 million to be allocated to each Senatorial district. He urged traders to register their names at Ibom FADAMA Micro Finance Bank through their respective unions so as to get their share of the money.
In their separate remarks, the President of Akwa Ibom Market Women Association, Obongawa Magdalene Udom, the President of Urua Mbakara, Elder Innocent Akpan, the woman leader of Urua Mbakara, Mrs Susanna Etimudo, Benedict Okon as well as other market traders lauded Governor Umo Eno for having a compassionate heart towards the market people and pledged their continuous support to his administration.
