By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha
The Anambra State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon. Obinna Ngonadi, has sacked the Interim Caretaker Committee chairman of Ogbaru (Main), Relief market, Ogbaru Local Government Area, Chief David Obidike, Secretary, Mr Donatus Udoekwe, over alleged involvement in construction of illegal structures in the market.
They were subsequently replaced by Chief Nwanodi Daniel Ogbogu, and Mr Nnanna O. Nnanna, chairman and secretary, even as other members of the sacked Obidike-led committee, were retained.
The Commissioner expressed displeasure on the manner some market leaders flout orders and directives of Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, recalling that the sacked market leaders were warned during their inauguration on May 25, 2022, to desist from illegal and substandard constructions in their markets without government recommendations and approvals.
They were also warned concerning the consequences that await recalcitrant leaders, which include, removal and replacement.
According to him, “The two leaders were removed from their positions because they were involved in erecting over 19 structures inside the market within three months of assumption of office, collecting huge sums as bribe from developers without informing other executive members working with them.
“I have requested the two to appear before me with three documents: Approved building plans by Anambra State Physical Planning Board; recommendation letter from the Ministry; and number of shops constructed”.
“The duo bluntly refused and the rest of the executive members of the market also petitioned that they were not part of the conspiracy and that the Chairman’s leadership style is autocracy.”
The Commissioner called on the two new appointed executive members to work in synergy with the rest so that they could partner with the state government to modernize the markets, thereby making Anambra a livable homeland.
Reacting to the minor reshufflement Thursday, the new chairman of the market, Chief Ogbogu, commended Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, for finding him worthy, through his able Commissioner for Commercial and Industry, Hon. Obinna Ngonadi, and pledged to work in line with the stipulated guideline and directive of the State Government.
Chief Ogbogu, who is called (“Ugodinobi 1 na Atani), by his admirers, added that, “I was not surprised to be appointed to head the market because the previous administrations made many mistakes which I am here to rectify with the support of my Caretaker Committee members and traders.
“Where ever I am, there is always light, so light has come to the market, the market is a terrain I know too well. I also assure the traders in the market that their wares are protected.”
In his own reaction, the new secretary of the market, Chief Nnanna, stated that, “We are here to better the welfare of the traders and I thank Governor Soludo and his Commissioner for Commmerce and Industry, Hon. Obinna Ngonadi, for finding us worthy to serve the traders.
“Our chairman, Ogbogu, is a man of the people and the traders know him as a man of the people that will take them to the next level. He knows the problems of the traders and how to solve them.
“What he wants is just cooperation from the traders and other stakeholders.”
