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The immediate past Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Anambra State, Charles Okafor, has lamented that the continuous sit-at-home policy in the South East region is killing the economy of the region.
Okafor, who made the remark during his performance appraisal just before handing over, pleaded with traders to reconsider their action which is impacting negatively on businesses.
He recounted that the sit-at-home was negatively impacting the economy of the State.
Recounting the huge losses to the economy of the state, the South East and Nigeria at large, Okafor disclosed that ‘greater percentage of the motorcycle spare parts used in countries like Chad, Niger among others are purchased from Nnewi.
Rubber shoes and other plastic products that are produced in Onitsha are shipped to Gabon, Cameroon, Central Africa etc. Ogbogwu Market, Onitsha services all the Federal Medical Centres within South East and some parts of South South.
‘During sit-at-home, most of these customers got frustrated and left for other places like Lagos to make their purchases.’
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He continued; ‘Most of our traders now move to neighbouring states like Asaba for their businesses and that means that the revenue that should have come to Anambra is shifting to those states.’
Responding to other issues like market crisis, the Commissioner stated that he was able to resolve most of the issues that caused problems in markets, thereby restoring peace and stability.
As a result, most markets withdrew pending cases from courts, as their businesses began to thrive in a conducive atmosphere.
On the allegation of government interference with market leadership, he stressed that the ministry does not interfere, but as a supervisory ministry, the duty is to put things right.
Concerning some challenges encountered during service, the Commissioner recounted that Anambra has the highest concentration of markets with greater percentage of indigenes as traders.
Concerning the option of contesting for Federal House of Representatives, Okafor said that the people of his community chose him, after considering the level of quality Service he rendered to them as a Commissioner, and Local Government Chairman.
THE EASTERN UPDATES
