In furtherance of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s ongoing reforms aimed at restoring order, transparency, and sustainable governance in markets across the state, the government has constituted a Caretaker Committee for the Emordi Shoe Dealers Association (ESDA) of Ochanja Market.
The inauguration was carried out by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Market, Chief Evarist Uba, following the expiration of the tenure of the former elected leadership of the market.
Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Uba charged the caretaker committee members to discharge their responsibilities diligently and in strict compliance with the policies of the Governor Soludo’s administration, stressing that the government remains committed to ensuring peace, discipline, and harmonious commercial activities in all markets across the state.
He noted that the caretaker arrangement is part of the governor’s broader strategy to sanitize market administration and prevent disorder arising from unregulated or unauthorized elections.
According to him, the committee remains fully accountable to the Anambra State Government under the leadership of Professor Soludo.
“The mandate of Mr. Governor is clear: there must be harmony, order, and lawful leadership in the operations of all markets in Anambra State. No market leadership exists outside government oversight,” Chief Uba said.
Providing background to the development, the Special Adviser explained that after the expiration of the former leadership’s tenure, the chairman appropriately reported to his office and was advised to return after the governorship election.
“However, contrary to state policy which suspended market elections, an unauthorized election was later conducted at Onitsha South Local Government Area.”
He disclosed that Governor Soludo promptly dissolved the illegal election and directed that all matters relating to market leadership must henceforth be routed through the Office of the Special Adviser on Trade and Market, in line with the administration’s policy of institutional coordination and rule-based governance.
“This caretaker committee is therefore a lawful intervention to maintain stability and protect traders’ interests while government prepares the ground for a properly regulated and credible market election,” Chief Uba added.
The Caretaker Committee is chaired by Mr. Sunday Ezumezu with Mr. Ikechukwu Egwim as Vice Chairman and Mr. Joseph Udeogu as Secretary, alongside other members.
In his vote of thanks, the chairman, Mr. Sunday Ezumezu, commended Governor Soludo’s market reforms and thanked the state government for the trust placed in them.
He pledged that the committee would uphold the administration’s vision by promoting peace, compliance with government directives, and responsible leadership in Ochanja Market.
Ebele Iyke Odili/Amaka Isikala