Under the direction of Nsukka Amalgamated Traders Association (NATA), traders from the 37 markets in the Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State descended upon the Government House in Enugu on Thursday to express their gratitude for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi's administration's numerous efforts to ensure their safety and wellbeing.
The businessmen, who were clearly overjoyed, also praised Gov. Ugwuanyi for the first and second stages of the Enugu State Traders Empowerment Scheme (Raffle Draw), which provided several lucky traders across the state's registered markets with the sum of N50,000 each to expand their respective enterprises.
The traders said that many of them in the Nsukka LGA benefited from the empowerment initiative, and they added that the money had a multiplier impact on the expansion of their enterprises.
They conveyed their sincere gratitude to Gov. Ugwuanyi for sending a fire truck and a rapid response vehicle to Nsukka's Ogige Market in order to protect people and property there.
The traders went on to express their gratitude to the governor for sanctioning the release of funding for the construction of a fire service station in Ogige Market, Nsukka, in order to improve security measures in the market.
They also expressed their sincere gratitude to Governor Ugwuanyi for having approved the hiring of 20 firefighters who will work in Ogige Market and the purchase of firefighting equipment like Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Foam Making Compound (AAAF), among other things, to be used in the market.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, Chief Mrs. Ngozi Ozioko, President of NATA, revealed that the governor's interventions in Ogige Market, Nsukka, are not only for the benefit of the market's traders but also for all of the markets in Enugu North Senatorial District, reiterating that "anywhere there is emergency, the equipment will be deployed there from Ogige Market, immediately."
Additionally, Mrs. Ozioko informed Gov. Ugwuanyi that "you have released the traders."
Consequently, the NATA President promised Gov. Ugwuanyi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Enugu North Senatorial District in the 2023 general election, that the traders would mobilize significant support for him, the PDP candidate for governor in Enugu State, Barr. Peter Mbah, the party's candidate for Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Chief Engineer Vita Abba, the PDP candidates for Nsukka East.
She emphasized: "We have no opposition because we don't see any reason to have opposition since our able governor (Ugwuanyi) has always been there for us as a true father and leader." She continued to say that the traders are unanimous in their decision to support the governor and other PDP candidates.
In accordance with his inaugural address, the traders praised Gov. Ugwuanyi for a number of development projects in Enugu State, particularly in the university town of Nsukka. They also expressed their happiness at the peace the governor had established in the state.
In his remarks, Chief Christian Onah used the chance to thank Governor Ugwuanyi for the many roads his administration built, noting that the traders are the main gainers from the road infrastructure.
He Said;
“Our products are now new products because since you constructed our roads, our products no longer get dusty. We thank you for that”.
Sule Idris, a Hausa trader representative, and other speakers followed suit. They thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for his kindness and good works toward the traders and assured him of their unwavering support for his bid for the Senate as well as for other PDP candidates, including the governorship candidate Barr. Mbah and the candidate for the Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Engr. Abba, among others.
Gov. Ugwuanyi responded by thanking the merchants for their unwavering solidarity and support and urging them to keep praying earnestly for the state and his government so that it will end stronger and in acclaim.
The governor reaffirmed his administration's dedication to the welfare of Enugu State's traders while announcing the impending rollout of more community-focused programs that will enhance their lots.
Among the dignitaries present were
Engr. Abba,
Prof. Malachy Okwueze, the deputy chief of staff to the governor,
Barr. Walter Ozioko, chairman of the Nsukka Local Government Area, and
Barr. Nestor Ezeme, executive secretary of the Enugu State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board.
