Follow Due Process, ATF Charges New Anambra Commerce Commissioner

Gov Obiano

The new Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Wealth Creation in Anambra State, Chief Uchenna Okafor, has been urged to follow due process, rule of law and respect for citizens' rights in the discharge of his official functions.

The Anambra State Traders' Forum (ATF), which made the call in a statement in Onitsha, commended Governor Willie Obiano for reassigning Chief Okafor from Transport Ministry to Commerce and Trade Ministry.



In a statement signed by the chairman of ATF Chief Uzoma Dan Okeke, he urged the new Commissioner to reverse the recent purported proscription of Amalgamated  Markets Traders Association of Anambra State (AMATAS), by the former Commissioner, Dr. Christian Madubuko.
↲
" Plans should be put in place to democratise those markets who have Caretaker Committee like Main Market,Onitsha Drug Market in Bridgehead, and restore AMATAS as a mother Union in the State as well as allow them to hold their statutory election" said the Forum.

They also said every market should be democratised, through option A-4, where all the traders should participate as demonstrated by the former President-General of AMATAS, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo.

ATF said " due process of the law should follow without resorting to self help.

The issue of intimidation and incessant constituting  of Caretaker Committees  should stop forthwith ".

They argued that it is morally and democratic  wrong to encourage undemocratic process, when the Governor himself is a product of democratic  process and rule of law.

"Democratic process should always be followed in conducting election especially those whose tenure have elapsed.

Through this, the cold war and incessant  imposition of Caretaker Committees will be discontinued" the group argued.

They urged Chief Okafor popularly called "Wiper" to bring stability and peace in Anambra State markets as he did in transport sector.