Tension is brewing among traders in Ariaria international Market in Aba following what they described as an “unauthorized and suspicious meeting” convened yesterday by Checkbest International Limited and the former Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha, who now serves as the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity.
The meeting, which reportedly took place at the conference hall of ENITONA Hotel in Aba, has sparked outrage among zonal market leaders who questioned the motive behind Mr. Nwokocha’s involvement in matters relating to the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, an office he no longer heads.
Speaking after the meeting, several zonal chairmen expressed dismay, querying why Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha would call such a gathering, which they described as a clear attempt to undermine and sabotage the authority of the newly appointed Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mrs. Salome Obiukwu.
According to some of the traders, “Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha claimed he’s still in charge and until Checkbest International Limited is done with the remodelling, he (Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha) remains the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce.”
The traders further revealed that during the meeting, representatives of Checkbest International Limited disclosed plans to commence the demolition of parts of the market this month to pave the way for the official flag-off of the market remodelling project.
Reacting to this development, the traders appealed to Governor Alex Chioma Otti to caution Mr. Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha against interfering in the affairs of traders and to allow the new Commissioner, Mrs. Salome Obiukwu, to carry out her duties without interference.
They also urged Mrs. Obiukwu to “stand firm and not give room for the corrupt antiques of Kingsley Chibueze Nwokocha,” stressing that the era of confusion, overlapping authority, and personal interest in market administration must end under the new dispensation of transparent governance championed by Governor Otti.
The situation has generated anxiety among traders who now await the government’s response to what they consider an affront to the proper administrative order in Abia State’s trade and commerce sector.
