Traders across Enugu State, under the umbrella of the Enugu State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ESMATA), have endorsed the re-election bid of Governor Peter Mbah, citing the stoppage of Monday sit-at-home among their reasons.
THE WHISTLER reports that the sit-at-home was declared across Southeast states by the Indigenous People of Biafra to pressure the release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The traders also said the Mbah administration operates market-friendly policies and interventions in the trading sector.
They made their position known after their meeting with the governor in Enugu over the weekend. The meeting involved chairmen and secretaries of more than 50 markets across the state. The traders commended the administration’s development initiatives.
The President of the body, Chinwuba Igwesi, said traders across the 17 local government areas were prepared to support Mbah’s re-election. He said the illegal Monday sit-at-home forced traders to lose substantial income by shutting their businesses on Mondays.
The restoration of normal commercial activities throughout the week has enabled traders to open their shops daily and improve their earnings, he said, adding that the return of regular market activities had brought relief to traders, “whose businesses had suffered from repeated disruptions, uncertainty and lost trading opportunities”.
He expressed gratitude to Mbah for approving the provision of transformers to markets without adequate electricity, the asphalting of road networks within several markets and the installation of solar-powered streetlights to improve visibility, security and commercial activities.
“These interventions are helping to address long-standing infrastructure challenges that had affected traders and customers, while making the markets more accessible and conducive to business,” Igwesi said.
The group also appreciated the governor for the construction of toilet facilities in markets, the release of utility vehicles to market leadership and the appointment of some market leaders into his administration. They also commended him for approving pilgrimage opportunities for some market leaders during the year, describing the gestures as indications that the government recognises and values the contributions of traders to the state’s economy.
Igwesi said the traders were particularly proud that Mbah understood their challenges because of his background in business. According to him, the governor’s understanding of the realities of trading had been reflected in policies and decisions aimed at improving the business environment, strengthening commercial activities and supporting the livelihoods of traders and their families.
Igwesi also dismissing rumours of a general increase in taxes in the state. He said the administration’s approach had involved the unification of taxes into a single account, rather than the alleged increase being circulated.
According to him, traders are willing to pay their taxes “because they see development projects and public infrastructure being delivered across the state”. He said the visible use of public revenue for development had strengthened traders’ confidence in the government and its management of resources.
Igwesi noted that contrary to speculations about business strangulation in the state, “business activities in Enugu are thriving”, particularly in the building materials sector, which he said had experienced improved commercial prospects under the current administration.
He linked the growth to the governor’s directive requiring contractors handling projects in the state to purchase construction materials from local suppliers in Enugu rather than sourcing them from outside the state where such materials were available locally.
The policy helped retain more business transactions within Enugu, increased patronage for local traders and contributed to the growth of businesses dealing in building materials and related supplies, he said.
According to him, Mbah’s record of performance had given him an advantage over opposition candidates ahead of the next governorship election. In his words, “When the time comes, your work will speak for you. It is no opposition in Enugu State.” The market leaders said that the development taking place across the state had strengthened their resolve to back his administration for another term.
Governor Mbah assured them that the state would witness even greater development if they renewed his mandate by voting him back into office.
The governor said his administration remained committed to expanding the state’s economic opportunities, improving infrastructure and positioning Enugu as a leading destination for business, investment and commercial activities.
He outlined several initiatives intended to strengthen the trading sector, including plans to develop a cargo terminal at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to improve the movement of goods and connect businesses in the state to international markets.
Mbah said the cargo terminal would help open Enugu to the world, facilitate the movement of goods and create opportunities for traders and businesses to participate more directly in international commerce.
He also talked about plans for direct cargo operations between Enugu and China, which he said would soon commence, enabling Enugu traders to import goods directly from China at more affordable rates.
The governor said the initiative was designed to reduce the difficulties traders encounter when sourcing goods, improve access to international supply chains and strengthen the competitiveness of businesses operating in Enugu.
He revealed that the government is expanding Enugu’s business space through infrastructure, connectivity and strategic investments to enable the state to attract more commercial activities and create opportunities for its people.
Mbah also spoke about his efforts to reconnect Enugu to the centre of national activities, noting that the state had been losing some of its historic prominence as the capital of the former Southern Region and a leading political and administrative centre in the South-East.
He said the construction of the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, was part of the strategy to restore the state’s standing by providing a modern venue for major national events, conferences and gatherings.
The governor explained that hosting such events would bring participants, visitors and businesspeople into Enugu, creating opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, traders and other service providers to benefit from increased economic activities.
He stressed that the government’s investment in security was equally important to this ambition. He said a safe environment was necessary to attract thousands of visitors and ensure that businesses could operate without fear.
Mbah said the administration was working to provide a secure environment supported by an effective security system, adding that safety, infrastructure and economic planning must work together to make Enugu an attractive destination for business and investment.
The governor reassured the traders that their interests would remain a priority in his administration, declaring that he would not support policies designed to undermine the trading community. He assured the market leaders that he would continue to consider the implications of government policies for traders and ensure that the administration’s economic agenda supported rather than hindered their activities.
