Onitsha market traders celebrate IGR Victory, attribute market crisis to IGR

Onitsha market traders celebrate IGR Victory, attribute market crisis to IGR

By Mbadugha Calis, Onitsha

Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, has been attributed to the crises rocking Ochanja Central Market, Onitsha, Anambra State, even as the market chairman, Bonaventure Muo, vowed never to be deterred by the opposition in ensuring that government money generated in the market is remitted to government.

Making this disclosure during the celebration of their award as star  prize winner, having generated #95 million to take the first position in IGR in the state, Chief Muo said his efforts with his executives made it possible, vowing to maintain the tempo.

"The crisis in Ochanja Central market Onitsha, today is as a result of IGR but thank God we scored first position this time with amount of N95 million naira. Last year we took second position with total amount of #75 million.

"I paid IGR in all my shops, both upstairs and downstairs to show you leadership by example," Muo disclosed.

Basking in the euphoria of his victory, Chief Muo said he will emerge again as the number one in the 2024 IGR adding that the victory will spur him to emerge victorious.

Hon. Obinna Mmaduka, Secretary, of the market, said in his reaction, "firstly we did not perform any magic for the first position just that we have consensus with our government concerning shops in upstairs that we should pay N4,400, then the second time, they said both shops in up stairs and down stairs will pay N12,200 instead of N4,400, that was the reason.

"We have committed on IGR reinforcement, so we will support them financially, morally and make sure we add enforcement to make sure they work harder this time, in other to maintain that our first position.

"I thank Anambra State government because this kind of thing, they have not done such a thing before. They just motivated us to work harder. 

"They are working very well with that IGR, everything is moving well like infrastructure, health sector, education even though employment of 8000 plus teachers, we promise to support them more with the IGR to make sure the work is going on well.

Contributing, sir Ikechukwu Ubachukwu, former chairman of the market and current patron of the market, stated, "I thank you all for your efforts to make sure we scored first position, God will be with you all so that you will be working as a team.

Sir Gabriel Obumnaeme, a stakeholder, added, "Since inception of Ochanja market, we have never heard of Ochanja raising such amount of money, I was surprised asking how they raised such amount because what they raised is far different from what they are raising before. 

"I advise all the traders to stop tackling people in this office, allow them to be and concentrate on their good work. If there is any problem in our market, you people should stop rushing to Awka to complain, call the patron of the market and discuss it with them first," he advised.

Chief Collins Obiukwu, Chairman) Patron of the market, advised Bonaventure and executives to always try to carry everybody along and treat them equally as their leader as it is the only way for peace to thrive in the market.

Contributing, Mr. Monday Ezeala, Chairman Provision Line, said "I thank you all for calling everybody along for this celebration because people made you to get this first position and for this reason of recognizing us, we will still support you again in the next payment to maintain this first position again," he vowed.

High Chief Obi Peter Ahanonu, in his vote of thanks expressed satisfaction with Chief Muo and his executives and pray God to guide and direct them as they move the market forward.