Gov. Soludo, lawmaker, others applaud Ochanja market for winning IGR star prize in Anambra

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

The governor of Anambra State, Charles Chukwuma Soludo on Monday commended Ochanja Central market, Onitsha, ably led by Bonaventure Muo, for defeating all markets in the state to win the internally Generated Revenue, IGR star prize on revenue generation.

Soludo who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Ernest Ezeajughi, advised traders in Onitsha to try to sustain the tempo of revenue generation to avoid being taken over by traders in Anambra South zone.

“The AIRS chairman, Ezeilo, is working very hard, the governor employed hardworking people and that is the increase you are seeing in IGR. We inherited insecurity, decayed infrastructures, but with this money generated in Ochanja Central Market, Main market, Ogbaru Relief (Main)market and others, we were able to change the narratives.

“This money has been put into use to achieve the governor’s target of making the state to become the Dubai of Africa.

He however, advised those who did not get the much expected IGR to work harder, even as he advised the star prize winner, Chief Muo, to be wary of ‘over take,’ by maintaining the tempo, saying that he has made the state government proud.

In a remark, Jude Ngobili, a member of the state House of Assembly and committee chairman on IGR, expressed satisfaction with Ochanja market chairman and urged him to keep it up, stating that government relies on Onitsha markets for IGR, which assists in the infrastructural development of the state.

“The governor has given matching order that all revenue generations be unified into General Purpose Levy, GPL. Anambra Property levy will also help to increase the revenue base of the state. We want to unlock the revenue sources in Anambra,” he affirmed.

Speaking, the AIRS chairman, Greg

Ezeilo, commended the winner of the star prize, Ochanja market and 10 other markets that received prizes for their efforts in IGR generation and urged them to intensify efforts, adding that it is from their money that the governor develops the state.

He lauded Ochanja market who presented #95 million as IGR, to emerge the winner, recalling that Oniitsha Main market has always been the winner of the star prize until now.

“Anybody that comes to you for any revenue should be arrested and handed over to the police. It was signed by Governor Soludo in 2023 for all levies to come under GPL,” he warned.

Also speaking, the ASMATA , Humphrey

Anuna, commended the star prize winner and others that hot prizes, and assured governor Soludo that no stone would be left unturned in the bid to increase the revenue base of the state, as the traders have joined to develop the state.

In her remark, Mrs Onyeka, SSA on IGR, said that the traders were big access to state government, adding that the increase on revenue generation was through the efforts of Ezeilo.

Earlier, the chairman of Onitsha Main market, Chief Ezennia Ezeoha, attributed his loss of the first position to Ochanja market, due to splitting of some part’s of his market to become independent, adding that it is a good thing for the child to grow bigger than the father.

Also, the chairman of Ogbaru Relief market, Ndubuisi Ochiogu, who got third position, commended the courage of Governor Soludo, Chief of Staff, Evarist Uba, ASMATA and AIRS chairman for the increase in the market IGR.

“Formerly some of the money will go into private pockets by the time it gets to the state government, but now government has directed that the money be paid direct to it and that is the cause of increase in the IGR,” he hinted.

The chairman of Ogbunike Building Materials market, Mr. Okechukwu Umeh, said that the prizes given to traders will spur them to work harder, adding that Soludo wants hardworking people in his government.