The Association of Radio and Television Technicians, Anambra State Chapter, has sent a “save our soul” message to Governor Chukwuma Soludo following the sealing off of Electronics Spare Parts Market at Iweka road, Onitsha by the Anambra State government,
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
members of the association made the call through their Chairman, Mr Sebanstine Ekunite at ASMATA Office, Modebe Street Onitsha.
The Technicians who were in their numbers were seen carrying placards with different inscriptions such as “Governor Soludo you are doing well”, “Radio and Television Technicians are not Members of Electrical Spare Parts Traders Association”, “Governor Soludo come to our rescue”, “Freedom of Association is our fundamental right” among others.
Speaking to newsmen, the chairman of the association, Mr Ekunite who lamented the sealing up of their shops for few days now which has thrown them out of business bearing in mind the economic situation of the country, noted that the members of Electronics Spare Parts Traders Association Onitsha is forcing them to relocate with them to their new site at Harbour Industrial Layout which he described as an intimidation.
On his part, an executive member of the association, Comrade Uchenna Ikechi disclosed that their associations are different from each other as they are technicians and not traders, adding that none of their members contributed money towards the construction of the new market neither do they have shops there.
They, therefore, called on the state government and ASMATA to wade into the matter as they have been to court years back over the matter and judgement was made in their favour on the bases that they have the right to be on their own.
Addressing the technicians on behalf of the President General ASMATA, Chief. Humphrey Anuna, the ASMATA Chairman Onitsha Zone, Chief. Eric Uwaoma commended the artisans for their peaceful conduct and initiative to come to the ASMATA office to seek redress, noting that the present administration in the state led by Governor Soludo would not like anyone to disrupt the existing peace.
Uwaoma urged them to exercise patience adding that the leadership of ASMATA and that of the associations will dialogue to restore lasting peace.
ANN recall that Anambra State government through Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade sealed off the market over refusal by traders to relocate to their permanent site in Atani, Ogbaru Local Government Area.
The Managing Director of OCHA Brigade,
Mr. Celestine Anere who disclosed this in an interview immediately after conducting the exercise, explained that the relocation of the market became expedient because the location at the current site is not in line with the planning of the city.
According to Mr Anere, the closure of the market became necessary after traders at the market refused to relocate to the new permanent site despite several notices by the state government.
The OCHA Brigade boss assured the traders that the new site is better planned to accommodate them and that government has provided necessary facilities for conducive business transactions and enjoined traders to relocate to the new site in Atani.
