By Chinwe Nwacha, Onitsha
The kick off of the installation of the Closed-Circuit Television, CCTV, cameras to curtail crime rate in the 185 markets in Anambra State took place at Nkpor Auto Spareparts market, Idemili North Local Government Area, weekend.
Flagging off the installation, the chairman of the contract film, (CB GOFRAN), Chief Chukwugozie Bobfrancis Nzekwesi, disclosed that the mounting of the equipment goes in sequence with digging the earth, casting, and hanging the poles to install the 'AI' CCTV cameras.
"This camera is of high quality that whenever a thief comes back to the market the camera will indicate by alerting the traders and he will be identified and arrested. The camera has no duration to wipe out its records rather the records will be kept in the archives for reference," he further explained.
According to him the choice of New auto spareparts market as venue for the kick off is based on the plan and location adding that the market was well planned and sited more than any other market in the state.
Hear him, "The market is well planned and located more than the popular Onitsha Main market and others in Anambra State and that is why we commenced the kick off of the installation here in the market.
"The installation will span up to one month and we then move to surrounding markets before getting to other markets. They are about 185 markets in the state and we hope to install the CCTV cameras in all on or before one year," he stated.
Chief Nzekwesi paid glowing tribute to Governor Soludo, Anambra lawmakers through the House Committee on Commerce, Trade and Industry, led by Hon. Innocent Ojike, Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Trade and Markets, Hon. Evarist Uba and PG of ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, for the able way they have been piloting the affairs of the people in the state, especially traders.
Expressing satisfaction with the flag off taking place in his market, the chairman, Chief Ofole Stephen Obiorah, said that the issue of crimes in the markets wii be a thing of the past.
"I appreciate God first and then our able Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Trade and Markets, Hon. Evarist Uba and the ASMATA PG, Chief Humphrey Anuna, for this digital security system and with this the crime rate will be curtailed. We can't stop thanking them.
"I believe that mere looking at the CEO of the contracting film and his team, a good job will be done. We felicitate and celebrate with them and will support them in all ramifications towards achieving this gigantic project," he affirmed.
Recall that the State House of Assembly through its Committee on Commerce, Trade and Industry, headed by Hon. Innocent Ojike, and the umbrella body of traders In the state, Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders' Association, ASMATA, led by Chief Humphrey Anuna, okayed the installation when the former paid official visit to the later at the ASMATA secretariat in Onitsha.