Why I intervene in Onitsha Ozomagana market crisis – Commissioner

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

The Anambra state Commissioner for Commerce, Nomso Chukwuma Ebonwu has revealed on why he intervened to broker peace and bring to an end the crisis rocking Ozomagana Building Materials market, Onitsha, 

The Commissioner made the disclosure in a swift reaction to accusations by some traders under the aegis of “Odoakpu Concerned Traders,” led by Anayo Okeke.

Recall that the Odoakpu Concerned Traders while expressing satisfaction with the Commissioner’s intervention at the Ozomagana market crisis, said he ought to have heard from signatories to the 50 years lease agreement and counsel that prepared the lease agreement.

According to the concerned traders, “We have been following this matter, met those who drew and signed the lease agreement in Ozomagana, Ezemekwe, Iweka and Electronics markets. We met Charles Modebe, Olisa Modebe, Richard Modebe and Sam Modebe except Mike kpajie Modebe who refused seeing us.

“Whoever that occupies the office of Commissioner of Commerce should be one grounded in trading because it is a sensitive position. The matter at Ozomagana is some thing that will take 10 minutes to be disposed off.

“We are surprise that one who signed an agreement is denying what he signed and the commissioner never invited the counsel that prepared the agreement and others but rather invited a lady from Portharcourt who is not a signatory to the lease agreement.

“He now listens to the lady when he knows that in Igbo land a woman is not involve in land matters. We understand Modebe family has petitioned the Commissioner, giving details on the lease agreement and about their daughter that they are not part of what she is doing.

“The caretaker committee of the market should be sacked  and Obiora Okoro-led executive reinstated and the Modebe daughter off her hands from the market,” they maintained.

In a swift reaction when contacted the Commissioner said, “You are aware the matter is pending in court.

Our role in the matter is by and large to create avenue where there is peace and sanity, tension doused. We had meeting with aggrieved people but the matter is pending in court.

When it is concluded whatever is the outcome will be followed.

“In Fact there were some incidences of skirmishes.

 You are aware that we did have a meeting with the aggrieved people, though that meeting was put on hold because the case is still pending in court.

“What was Paramount was that there were some incidents of skirmishes between the warring traders. What we wanted to do was to maintain an atmosphere of peace and tranquility within the market.

“The best I can say now is that peace has been restored in the market and we are seeking avenues in which we can have a solution to the issue. The main issue which we believe is around is the construction of market shops but we will allow the court to give its judgment.

“We want to ensure that all the traders affected are properly protected in terms of their trading premises for all to have their places. Where they can do business in peace and tranquility. That to us is the Paramount and that is what we are trying to do. The matter is in court so there is a limit to what we can do,” he stated.

On alleged intimidation of the traders by a daughter of Modebe family, the Commissioner added that, “Mine is that there are skirmishes in the market and I have to stop it and ensure these incidents are not escalated. Whatever position she may have is really not my concern or my office.

“Mine is to ensure that the rights of the traders are protected and an enabling environment provided to them for trading,” he maintained.