The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Market Development and Parks, Hon. Oko Udu, has urged traders across the state to mobilise eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 general election, while commending Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for his continued support for the trading community.
Hon. Udu made the call when members of the Ebonyi State Market Men Amalgamated Traders Association paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Block 9, Centenary City, Abakaliki.
Addressing the delegation, the commissioner thanked Governor Nwifuru for appointing him to lead the Ministry of Market Development and Parks, assuring him that he would justify the confidence reposed in him through dedicated service.
He applauded the governor for what he described as massive investment in the state's trading community, citing the empowerment of market men with N2 million each to expand their businesses as a life-changing intervention. He also praised the administration's efforts in attracting investors from within and outside the state to St. Margaret Umahi International Market, Abakaliki, noting that the initiative had continued to deliver positive results.
The commissioner further congratulated the association for its active participation in the solidarity rally organised by Ebonyi traders in support of Governor Nwifuru's second-term re-election bid, which he said was supervised by the Ministry of Market Development and Parks in collaboration with the Ebonyi State Market Board.
He called on members of the association to return to their various markets and sensitise eligible voters who were yet to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards, stressing that the PVC remained the only instrument through which they could support the governor's re-election in 2027.
Hon. Udu assured traders that his office would remain accessible to all stakeholders, promising to work collaboratively to introduce fresh ideas and innovations that would strengthen market administration across the state. He also pledged the ministry's commitment to resolving outstanding issues affecting traders and expressed satisfaction with the calibre of individuals managing markets across Ebonyi's three senatorial zones.
Earlier, the President of the Ebonyi State Market Men Amalgamated Traders Association and Chairman of Lot 4, St. Margaret Umahi International Market, Mr Nwikwe Praise Uchenna, said the visit was to congratulate the commissioner on his appointment and strengthen the association's working relationship with the ministry.
He assured Hon. Udu of the association's readiness to partner with the ministry in advancing the development of markets across the state.
Also speaking, the association's founder and former Chairman of Lot 1, St. Margaret Umahi International Market, Chief Peter Oba, said the organisation, established in 2005, was founded to support the government of the day. He said the visit was also to reaffirm the association's loyalty and commitment to the policies and programmes of the Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru-led administration.
In a vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Market Development and Parks, Mr Odo Gabriel Oyibe, urged members of the association to remain law-abiding and continue to promote peace and harmony in their respective markets.
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