Maduako Igbokwe I Monday, Oct. 23, 2023
ONITSHA, Nigeria – Anambra State Governor Prof Charles Soludo has stated that he will sack all presidents of various market unions in five local government areas of the State,if the activities of touts continue.
He also stated that he will sack all leadership of various motor parts in the council areas who harbour and connive with touts to harass, intimidate and rip off innocent traders.
The local government council are
Onitsha North and South, Oyi , Ogbaru and Idemili North.
Soludo disclosed this in Onitsha at the official launching of the , Anambra Ant- Tout Squad on Monday.
He took the decision following the activities of touts and miscreants in the markets, regretting how touts are intimidating and ripping off innocent traders that have come to do business in the area .
According to him, by the end of March next year when the tenure of the present market leaders would end they will not be renewed if activities of touts continue in those areas.
“Where are the market leaders ? Mr President where are your colleagues in the market ? ”
“They are supposed to be here and infact that meeting should have been here but all the same you know that your tenure would end in March next year and come April 1st next year we are not going to renew your tenures because of what the touts are doing in the markets and some of you are using those touts to rip off innocent traders and members of the public and make money”
“I want to make it clear that if any tout is found in your markets we are not going to renew your tenures and all of you would be sacked”
“We have five local government areas where these touts operate which are Onitsha North and South, Oyi , Ogbaru and Idemili North and I had announced that those petty traders should not pay tax or any levy at all but the market leaders use the touts to obtain money from them”he stated.
Soludo however lamented that in the past people come from the North and other parts of the country to do business in Onitsha but due to the activities of the touts the economy of Onitsha and indeed Anambra state has been affected.
Speaking earlier ,the Commissioner for Homeland Matters Chief Chikodi Anarah warned all the touts in Anambra state to leave the state, stating that the state will not spare anyone found touting .
He also announced that the operations of the Anti- Tout Squad would be continuous until they leave the state.
According to him,anyone found without any lawful and visible means of livelihood in the parks would face the music.
Chairman Onitsha South local government area Mr Emeka Joseph Orji who spoke on behalf of the five Council Chairman said that they are going to work with the squad to rid the area of touting.
Orji said that before now they have been battling with touts, stating that their efforts have started yielding results.
