Some traders at New Spare Parts Market, Nkpor, and Ogbo Abada International Market, Onitsha, have accused their market leaderships of mindless extortion.
The traders at the New Spare Parts Market, Nkpor, including the Secretary of New Parts Landlords/ Shop Owners Association, Comrade Edwin Ibeabuchi, Mr. Ikemelu Igwebike and Mrs. Regina Ezeokafor, informed ABS that the market leadership, under Chief Elieus Umeozor imposed a four thousand naira penalty, just a day after government-approved taxes amounting to seven thousand four hundred naira was announced to them, appealing for reversal.
Other traders at Abada Textile International Market, Onitsha, including Mr. Anthony Uwaezuoke and Mrs. Maureen Nenanya, said their market leadership, under Chief Basil Ozor increased the government-approved fund from seven thousand four hundred naira to nine thousand four hundred naira per shop, adding that over a thousand traders were affected in what he said has been a recurring practice.
The traders claimed that the money being extorted from them are being diverted into private coffers, and called for punitive actions against defaulters, even as they commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo for his efforts in taking the development of the state to the next level.
Reacting to the accusations, the Chairman of Abada Textile International Market, Onitsha, Chief Basil Ozor, explained that the two thousand naira added to the seven thousand four hundred naira approved by the government is for those who had not paid for biometric capturing, which is seven hundred naira, and identity card; which is one thousand three hundred naira, calling on those peddling rumors of extortion to seek clarifications where necessary.
Chief Ozor expressed readiness to give account of his stewardship, and promised more support of his colleagues at the market to the government.
When contacted on telephone, Chief Umeozor promised to get back to ABS, and since then, calls to his phone line, as well as other efforts to get his reactions on the allegations yielded no result.
Reacting to the development, the Coordinator, Anambra Joint Enforcement Team, ANJET, Retired Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi, promised that his team will do the needful over the matter.
ANJET is a body charged with the responsibility of stamping out touting and illegal revenue collection in the state.
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