Anambra Govt unseals radio, technicians shops in Onitsha

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

Anambra State Government led by governor Charles Chukwuma soludo on Wednesday unsealed the radio and television technicians shops reportedly sealed by security operatives for refusing to relocate to a permanent site allegedly meant for them in Onicha.

The unsealing of the shops was based on the petition by the artisans to the Special Adviser to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo on Trade and Markets, Evarist Uba, through the chairman of Onitsha South Street Traders Association, Eric Uwaoma and President General of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, Humphrey Anuna.

The special adviser to the governor, Uba, while unsealing the market at Iweka axis, stated the need for freedom of association, adding that the unsealing is also aimed at restoring peace in the market and the entire state.

He cautioned the warring factions to be mindful of governor Soludo’s committed efforts in  entrenching peace in the state, even as he warned that trouble makers will not be spared.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the radio and television faction had  in a protest, accused members of the Electronic Spare Parts Traders Association in the state of masterminding their eviction through the Anambra State Government.

During the protest, they carried placards with various inscriptions around the Onitsha metropolis insisting that the leadership of ESPTA was collaborating with the state government to eject them and force them to relocate to Harbour Industrial Layout in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state.

Some of the placards read, “Governor Chukwuma Soludo, come to our rescue”, “Freedom of Association is our fundamental right”, “We are Artisans not Traders”, “Governor Soludo, rescue us from this intimidation”, “E.S.P.T.A, go with your members only, we are not part of you”, “The new market is for members of Electronic Spare Parts Traders Association only, we say no to forceful ejection”, among others.

Expressing satisfaction with the unsealing of their workshops, the artisans’ chairman, Sabastine Ebilite, explained that the ejection notice was actually served to the spare part traders to relocate their businesses to Harbour Industrial Layout and not them, who are the artisans.

Ebilite said that due to the nature of their profession and for paring shops with the dealers, they became victims of the circumstance.

Reacting, the Onitsha South Street chairman, Eric Uwaoma urged the artisans to ensure that non members are not in their midst, stating that there is freedom of association.

He commended Chief Uba and ASMATA for coming to the rescue of the artisans and vowed that the artisans have resolved to vote for the governor for his achievements in the state