Otti Sanitises Market Leaderships to Streamline Revenue Generation

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

The Abia State Governor, Mr. Alex Otti, has taken steps to streamline revenue inflow to the state government from markets by appointing new management committees for markets in Umuahia and Aba.

Markets constitute a major source of internally generated revenue (IGR) for Abia State government and market leaders are critical in revenue collection.

Aba, the commercial hub, tops the revenue baskets with 13 markets, some of which have acquired international status like Ariaria, while Umuahia followed behind with four markets.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Commerce, Dr. Chimezie Ukaegbu, announced in a statement that the new management committees have been put in place for the 17 markets in Aba and Umuahia.

The new management committees were initially scheduled for inauguration today (Thursday) in Umuahia.

But Ukaegbu, barely 24 hours before the inauguration, issued a statement that stated that “the planned inauguration is hereby suspended,” adding that “a new date will be announced in due course.”

He also informed the market groups that “government also, by this notice, withdraws the list of those earlier appointed into the management committees of the various markets.”

The special adviser did not give any reason for the new development.

However, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kazie Uko, told THISDAY that the initial list was withdrawn when some issues popped up.

Uko said: “We want to get a few things sorted out in order to carry everybody along.” 

He noted that the new administration of Governor Alex Otti “is operating in an environment where things had been messed up,” therefore, “we need to put things in order.”