Anambra: Importers' crisis deepens as rival group refuses to handover... caretaker committee takes over by force
By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
The intra Importers' Association crisis, Ugwuagba Obosi Old Motor Parts market, Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State, has reportedly deepened as a rival group refused to hand over the office key to the new caretaker committee set up by the state government.
Recall that the state government set up the caretaker committee through the Anambra State Amalgamated Traders' Association, ASMATA, led by Chief Humphrey Anuna, when the importers spoilt for a showdown on 29th February, 2024, when they wanted to conduct an election to elect a new executive to pilot their affairs.
It was gathered that since after the swearing in of the caretaker, it has not been given key to the office by a rival group which prompted the ASMATA leadership in collaboration with the chairman of Ugwuagba market, Chief Samuel Ifurunwa, to forcefully opened the office and ushered in the new caretaker committee.
According to the Ugwuagba market chairman, " I have repeatedly asked the Chief Trustee of the Importers to hand over the key of the office to the caretaker committee set up by the state government.
"So I have to invite the security operatives, the Healthy and Clean Anambra State, (Ocha Brigade), MAKE-WAY, and other stakeholders to witness the entry of the office and be on the know of items that were in the office," he stated.
Reacting, the caretaker committee chairman, Chief Onyegiri Francis, thanked the ASMATA PG and Governor Charles Soludo for coming to the rescue of the traders adding that if not for their intervention there would have been bloodbath on February 29th.
He vowed to carry everybody along and ensure that peace is restored to pave way for conduct of election even as he lamented the refusal of the rival group to hand over key to the caretaker committee set up by the state government and described it as a slight.
The 11 man members of the caretaker include, Chief Onyegiri Francis-chairman, Nwosu Afam-vice chairman, Egbunonu Amaechi-secretay, Okonta Leonard-Assistant secretary, G.OC. Frank-financial secretary, Okeke Chikeke-treasurer, Anaonye Valentine-provost, Desmond Ubawuike-assistant provost, Ononuju Anayo-member and Umeakunne Vitus-member.
In his own contribution, Chief Ifeanyi Eduwogu, disclosed that if not for the intervention of ASMATA, it would have been a sad story as all were set for war in the name of election.
In their various remarks,, vice chairman, Nwosu Afam, Egbunonu Amaechi, secretary, and Okeke Chikeke, treasurer, thanked the ASMARA PG, Governor Soludo, traders and stakeholders, including the security operatives for the role they played that assisted to avert bloodbath in the market.