Anambra State government has instituted ASMATA as the new umbrella body of traders in the State.
Inaugurating the leadership of the new Association at the Jerome
Udorji State Secretariat Awka, the Commissioner for Trade, Commerce, Market And Wealth Creation, Dr. Christian Madubuko said the move became necessary because of the leadership crisis that engulfed the former
Association ASMATA and inability of the leadership of the former
Association to conduct credible elections at the end of its tenure.
The new Umbrella Body has Chief Ikechukwu Ekwegbalu as President
General and Dr. Mrs. Rosemary Anazodo as the Secretary General.
Chief Jude Agumadu and Obinna Okechukwu will serve as first and second Vice President respectively while Mrs. Chinwendu Ezeigwe is the Woman Leader among others.
Chief G. U. Okeke, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka were appointed Patrons of the Association.
The Commissioner also inaugurated Legal Advisers for the Association, Advisers on Markets and ASMATA Zonal Leaders while Mr. Kenneth Onyeka was appointed as the new Chairman of Onitsha Main Market.
Dr. Madubuko said the leadership has initial tenure of three months
which could be renewed and enumerated their terms of reference to include maintaining peace in all markets in Anambra State.
He said that the maintenance of clean environment and promotion of sanitation habit among traders as well as ensuring that all revenues drivable from markets and accruable to the State government are judiciously paid into designated state Treasury Account.
The Commissioner also charged them with the responsibility of conducting credible election for ASMATA at a time when the State Government deems necessary under the supervision of the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.
Dr. Madubuko warned that they would be relieved of their duty if
found guilty of connivance of diverting government revenues.
Responding on behalf of others, the new President General of ASMATA,
Chief Ekwegbalu assured that they would discharge their responsibilities with dedication to achieve the desired results.
Also speaking, one of the Patrons of the Association, Chief Rommy
Ezeonwuka while commending the quality of members of the Market
leadership said the focus should be to restore the glory of markets in
the state and increase their potential as well as expand opportunities for traders.
In his remarks, one of the Legal Advisers, Barrister Ikechukwu
Onyeabor reminded the new market leadership that markets remain the
major source of Internally Generated Revenue for the State
Government and urged them to harness them effectively.
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