Aniefiok Christopher
Henceforth, any market union in Akwa Ibom that intimidates, harasses or hinders commodity sellers from selling their goods at various market formations in the state will face severe sanctions.
Giving the warning at the popular Etaha Itam Market in Itu and Afaha Market in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Areas of the state during an enlightenment tour on Thursday, Akwa Ibom Traders Cooperative Association vowed to impose severe sanctions on recalcitrant traders.
The group led by Pastor Moses Sambo, the BOT Chairman, Etaha Itam Traders Development Association, Elder Godwin Ebong and other market leaders were received amidst jubilation from market women who claimed that the activities of the market unions have impacted negatively on their businesses.
Addressing traders at Afaha Market, Pastor Sambo said the move was to support the ARISE Food Security Programme launched recently by Governor Umo Eno to cushion the harsh economic conditions in the state.
The market leaders, according to him, have resolved to work with the relevant agencies of government to ensure that the intentions of government on the food security programme for the vulnerable are met.
He hinted that their intention is to ensure that all commodity sellers irrespective of affiliations, have unhindered access to the markets to sell their produce without any form of molestation from market union leaders.
“So, we have warned all market unions to avoid the mistake of levying members or imposing prices on the traders to enhance competition and allow market forces to determine the prices of the commodities,” he stated.
In the same vein, Obonganwan Magdalene Udom said people with any produce is free for sale at designated places in the market, assuring that the group is working to forestall any form of molestation or harassment by the market unions.
Mrs Udom seized the opportunity to call on Akwa Ibom citizens to key into the State government’s farming initiative to force down the prices of food items in the state.
According to her, the current hardship in Nigeria is caused by a number of factors, including the fuel subsidy removal, the rising cases of banditry and insecurity, hence the need for the people to heed the Governor’s call and return to the farm.
Assuring the traders of their intention to support the move by the market leaders, the BOT Chairman, Itam Traders Development Association, Elder Godwin Ebong said his leadership had already set a standard by ensuring that the welfare of traders is given premium in the market.
Speaking separately for Uyo and Etinan Federal Constituencies, Elder Umoh Paul and Prince Uwem Tommy expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for carrying traders along in the scheme of things in the state, especially by extending recent appointments to market leaders in the state.
The duo urged traders who sell staple food items to report issues of molestation to market associations for appropriate actions, adding that they are out to implement the State Government’s intention in enhancing food sufficiency in the state.
Speaking too, the Chairman, Afaha Market Management Committee, Elder Emediong Akwa and the President, Etaha Itam Market Management Association, Prince Ubong Archibong assured the monitoring team of their cooperation to protect the interest of staple food vendors in the market.
They used the opportunity to call on Governor Umo Eno to come to their aid by providing a conducive working environment for traders in the market, while assuring him of their unalloyed support to the ARISE Agenda programme of his administration.
Equally present during the visit were market leaders from Uyo, Ikot Ekpene and Oron Federal Constituencies.
