Onitsha Traders Demand Sack of Commerce Commissioner over Alleged Failure to Resolve Market Crises

By Praise Chinecherem

Traders in Onitsha, under the aegis of the Onitsha South Traders Forum, have called on Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to remove the Commissioner for Commerce, Hon. Nomso Ebonwu, over alleged incompetence and failure to resolve lingering crises in major markets across the commercial city.

The forum, through its spokesperson, Dr. Izu Okoye, a former two-time chairman of Onitsha International Electronics Market and chieftain of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Onitsha South Local Government Area, alleged that Ebonwu’s appointment had worsened the situation in several markets.

Citing the Ozomagala Building Materials Market in Onitsha, the traders lamented that the dispute between the landlords, the Modebe family, and traders remained unresolved, while the market chairman, Obiora Okoro, and members of his executive were allegedly subjected to repeated arrests by police officers from Abuja.

Okoye accused the commissioner of failing to resolve market disputes since assuming office, insisting that the Ministry of Commerce required an experienced professional capable of managing the sensitive nature of market administration.

“If the commissioner has handled, say, 20 cases since assuming office, he has failed to settle all 20. Markets are very sensitive places where experienced people in trade and commerce should be appointed. It should not be an all-comers affair or a position for inexperienced and incompetent persons,” he said.

The forum further accused Ebonwu of allegedly favouring wealthy traders over less privileged market stakeholders in handling disputes.

“It is unfortunate that Ebonwu listens only to the rich and abandons the poor when dealing with market crises, as allegedly happened in Ozomagala Building Materials Market, Onitsha Ogbogwu Drug Market, Onitsha Main Market and others, thereby perverting the course of justice,” Okoye alleged.

He also expressed concern over what he described as the commissioner’s inability to manage pressure from traders and maintain cordial relationships with market leaders.

“We have assessed him and found him unfit to pilot the affairs of traders. He does not have the experience and capacity to absorb the pressure that comes with managing market disputes,” he added.

Okoye listed Ogbogwu Drug Market, Ochanja Market, Iweka and Ozomagala among the markets where, according to him, the commissioner had failed to achieve satisfactory outcomes.

He further alleged that Ebonwu had poor working relationships with market chairmen and leaders, as well as officials in the legal department of the Ministry of Commerce.

Describing him as the “worst commissioner ever,” the forum urged Governor Soludo to replace him with what it called a more competent and experienced person.

“There are so many capable hands out there who can take over the position and deliver better results,” the forum said.

The traders also warned that the commissioner might struggle to manage the tensions associated with market elections, which they described as frequently contentious.

They expressed concern that his alleged inability to resolve existing disputes could affect the conduct of future traders’ elections across the state.

Commissioner’s Office Rejects Allegations

When contacted, Ebonwu referred journalists to his Public Relations Officer (PRO), Ebelechukwu Odili, for a response to the allegations.

Odili dismissed the claims as “false, frivolous and untrue,” stating that the dispute involving Ozomagala Building Materials Market, also referred to as the Modebe Enterprises market case, was pending before a court.

She said the commissioner would not comment on a matter currently before the judiciary to avoid prejudicing the proceedings.

“The commissioner has nothing to say about a matter that is still pending in court,” Odili said.

She explained that the dispute predated Ebonwu’s appointment as Commissioner for Commerce, insisting that he had no direct involvement in the matter.

“The Modebe case was already in court before Commissioner Ebonwu assumed office. He has nothing to say about the Modebe Enterprises market crisis because everything concerning it is before the court.

“Anybody alleging that the commissioner is biased or incompetent in this matter is not telling the truth. He cannot be accused of bias over a case that is pending in court,” she maintained.

Odili further explained that the Ministry of Commerce operates a market redress system through designated desk officers, who receive complaints and attempt to resolve disputes within their jurisdiction.

According to her, cases that cannot be resolved at the desk-officer level are escalated to the commissioner.

“If traders have problems, they should approach the redress desk. They have the necessary contact numbers to reach the desk officers so that their cases can be addressed.

“The commissioner cannot jump protocol,” she added.

The controversy comes amid growing concerns over the management of market disputes in Onitsha, one of Anambra State’s major commercial hubs.

#