The Executive Chairman of Udenu Local Government Area, Aka Eze Aka, on Thursday dissolved the Executive officers of the Orba Market Traders Association (OMTA) following a prolonged crisis that had destabilized the Association’s operations. In a bid to restore order and ensure the smooth running of market activities, he inaugurated a Seven-member Caretaker Committee charged with overseeing the affairs of the market for the next six months.
The decision, which comes after several months of tension within the Association, aims to restore normalcy and provide a platform for fair elections that will enable the election of new, credible leaders in line with democratic principles.
During the inauguration ceremony held at his office, Aka addressed a delegation from the OMTA, stressing the importance of peace and unity in the market. He encouraged the traders to embrace cooperation and focus on the collective good, warning that any individual or group found fomenting trouble would be met with legal consequences.
“The market is a space for all traders to engage in their businesses peacefully,” he said. “We cannot afford to have an environment where discord and conflict overshadow the interests of our people. This committee is entrusted with the responsibility of bringing back order, peace, and fairness.”
The Caretaker Committee, led by Mr. Eugene, a respected community leader, was officially inaugurated to oversee the Association’s activities and work towards organizing a credible election within the stipulated six-month period. In a swearing-in/Oath-taking ritual administered by Barr. Ikechukwu Eze, the members pledged their allegiance to the Local Government and swore to carry out their functions diligently. They were tasked with ensuring that the election process is transparent and in accordance with democratic values.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated committee, Mr. Eugene Ozioko expressed gratitude to the Executive Chairman for the opportunity to serve. He assured the Udenu LGA leadership that the committee would diligently work to resolve all existing issues and facilitate the smooth conduct of elections for the Association. “We are committed to fulfilling our mandate and ensuring that peace and harmony are restored to Orba Market,” he said.
The Caretaker Committee members are as follows
1. Mr Ozioko Eugene… Chairman
2. Ezeme Christian Secretary
3. Mr Obinna Okafor
4. Mr. Okpe Amobi…Member
5. Rt, Hon Makata Hyginus…Member
6. Mr, Eze Benjamin…Member
7. Mrs Agboeze Ebere…. Member
The market, one of the largest in Udenu, has been plagued by leadership disputes for some time, which have affected both the day-to-day activities and the overall economic well-being of traders. There were heavy allegations of High-handedness, extortion, bullying and manifest intimidation of dissenting voices from the Chairman of OMTA leading to insurrection among traders. With the formation of the Caretaker Committee, stakeholders are hopeful that the situation will improve and the market will return to its full potential.
Flanking the Chairman of Udenu at the occasion were his Deputy — Hon. Mrs. Onyinye Odoh, the Secretary to the Local Government, Rt. Hon. Chika Aroh, as well as Okwudili Jude Ukwueze and Onyekachi C. Ugwu.
As Udenu LGA moves forward with this intervention, all eyes will be on the Caretaker Committee to fulfill its mandate and restore peace, setting a standard for market management and governance in the Area.
© AkaEzeAka Media Team.
