Anselem Anokwute
The leadership and management of Naze Building Material Traders Association, in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, has cried out and called on Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for urgent help saying that Erosion menace, bad road network and insecurity are major business setback.
The request was made by the President of the Market, Comrade Anthony Okonkwo, and his Executive’s after taking Newsmen round the Gully Erosion site which is about to cut off the major road in the market since several years ago.
According to him, without waiting for the government appropriate measures his Executive Team has done much to source for funds to get a temporary remedy and need the State government urgent intervention to come and check the Erosion menace in the market.
Stating that they have put over 50 million naira in the project but more money is needed to ensure that the Erosion is completely checked as it’s only the government of, Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa Oyoko) can do that as he is known for doing durable and quality projects in the State.
Comrade Okonkwo, further stated that the whole road to the market is in a deplorable conditions and only the government intervention can help them out from the predicament by the rehabilitation of the roads as he has done in other Markets in the State mostly in Owerri Municipality.
He pointed out that, Naze Building Material and Timber market Owerri, is in dear need of security as it’s only when the security apparatus is in place that the traders will relax to do their business to grow the state economy and he called on the governor Senator Hope Uzodimma (Onwa Oyoko) and the Commissioner of Police Imo State Police Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, to help them in the Area of security. Even if Building a police post we will be happy.
Reeling out his achievements since his elections into power as the President on February 2024, Okonkwo, said that, he has achieved much with the support of his Executive’s and members of the Market this include Sanitization of traders, regular Cleaning up exercise as the entire Market is wearing a new look, Ensure prompt Vigilant Actions against hoodlums and regular crime fightings.
“We have equally awarded the contract to put a Check on the Erosion site to a Prominent Engineering Company ,TIM Nig Construction Company LTD to Work on the gully erosion site”.
“We have ensure Unity of purpose amongst the traders and our major challenges are the bad road, Erosion menace and Insecurity ones it’s tackled the Market is safe.
“On the detention of Former ISAMATA President, Hon. Emmanuel Ezeanochie, our collective stand is for the governor Senator Hope Uzodimma, (Onwa Oyoko), to look inward and grant him lienency as the young Man has remained a good person,
“We are not saying that he didn’t do anything, he is a human being, but since, I know him, he has remained resolute and pragmatic for the government to succeed as he was the person that conducted our elections and it was free and Fair before the traders a testament to his transparent and sincere leadership as the former Imo State Almagamated Market Traders Association ISAMATA President”.
On the part of the former Executive leadership of the market, Yes they handed over to us and we are together and will continue to be together as traders, what we need is for us to be our brothers keeper as some of our members have been sacked by the Erosion and the only way to keep everyone together is to work on the Erosion site and stop further gully erosion encroachment in the market, That’s why, we are pleading with the governor Senator Hope Uzodimma for his fatherly help”. Comrade Okonkwo said.
He reassured his commitment to protect his integrity based on transparency and accountability administration to his fellow traders and customers alike as well, equally ensured that, he fulfilled all his campaign promises of which the Erosion Control is one and many others.
Responding, Engr Timothy Ubochi, CEO, TIM Nig Construction Company LTD, said that, the Erosion site was too bad when he was contacted but decided to use his high efficiency technology and knowledge to take the water through a castle drainage gutters to the catchment pits to break the water force before taking it to the Otamiri River about several Poles behind the market.
He pointed out that the only thing that will delay the project is finance according to him, his workers are ready and on ground to do the job .
Inspections into the ditch was horrible as it was very deep to behold while mension Workers are doing the drainage gutters in the ditch or gully to connect to the river.
