Bad Leadership: Crisis Rocks World bank Market Traders Calling Owerri Municipal Council for Management Take Over.
Traders at the World Bank Market in Owerri Municipal Council Area of Imo State are facing a leadership crisis, orchestrated by the allegations that Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Barr. Rex Anunobi, (Sokom) has imposed unqualified individuals as market executives as the traders are calling the Executive Chairman Owerri Municipal Council and his team to intervened and take over the management market prior to the conduct of election for the Traders to avoid breaking down of law and order.
The traders claim that Daniel Ibe, a dry fish seller, was appointed as Acting Chairman despite not being a shop owner, which goes against the market’s constitutional provisions and his over bearing negative influence, harassment and intimidations of Traders mostly Shop owners. Imposing fines and penalties on the contraveners of monthly prayer sessions using thugs.
The traders accused, Chief Rex Anunobi (Sokom) of selfishness and bias, allowing, Ibe to use his cronies, including one Uzoma Onuoha and his Ohaji boys to carry out his intimidations, extortions, and harassment of fellow traders, prejudice and favouritism.
They also claimed that, the market has become a death trap and plagued by stealing, congestion, dirtiness, and blockage of the market entrance and major roads and called on government agencies to come and bring sanity.
Elder Felix Metu and other speakers, including Mrs. Tochukwu Alaneme and Nze Michael Ahaotu, expressed disappointment and passed a vote of no confidence in Commissioner Barr. Rex Anunobi Sokom and his Director for Market, Mrs. Anthonia Ezeala. They called on Governor Hope Uzodimma and the Owerri Municipal Council to intervene and restore peace in the market and remove the Commissioner from handling the daily activities of Imo State Markets.
The traders argued that, the leadership and monitoring of Imo State markets are the explicit rights of the Council’s and demanded that, the Owerri Municipal Council Executives takes over the management of the World Bank Market to ensure peace and promote the state’s general goods and services as well as to conduct election for the Traders inline with their constitution.
It’s worth noting that this is not the first time the World Bank Market has faced challenges. In the past, traders have protested against demolitions and forced displacement, highlighting the need for protection of their rights and livelihoods
The above according to them brought in the good legacies and leadership of Hon. Mrs. Tina Ugwuezi, that initiated the development of the world Bank Market into the model standards, installation of Street Solar panel lights system, Reticulation of Pipe borne water system, building of Public Toilet facilities and building of the open sheds and later a Perimeter fencing wall which was vehemently opposed and destroyed by the, Self acclaimed Acting Chairman, Daniel Ibe and his group including those traders and dealers in Chicken and Fish products.