Abia Assembly Moves to Strengthen Market Security Amid Rising Fire Incidents

The Abia State Markets The Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) has lauded the sponsors of the proposed Abia State Markets Safety and Protection Bill, which seeks to establish a clear legal instrument for the purpose of ensuring safety across markets in the state.

ASMATA has equally called for a clear legal and legislative framework that will include the body’s taskforce in safety control, regulations, revenue collections, and enforcement exercise at the various markets in the state.

Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, ASMATA President, presented a memorandum to the Abia State House of Assembly Committee on Trade and Commerce during a public hearing of the proposed bill on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Udeigbo also called for the provisions of extant laws that will ensure accountability and transparency of levies and other revenues collected by respective market unions.

The umbrella body of Abia traders equally appealed to the state legislators to include laws that will curb double taxation, as well as make the provisions of fire extinguishers compulsory in all the markets as a necessary measure to halt avoidable market infernos.

“We appreciate the sincere efforts of the sponsors of the Abia State Markets Safety and Protection Bill 2025.

“In line with our terms of reference, which include ensuring that traders comply with the state government directive, particularly with regard to the payment of government statutory revenues, we wish to make the following suggestions.”

The ASMATA President said that the ASMATA Taskforce ought to be made part of the enforcement team to liaise with and supervise markets’ taskforces for effective and accountable enforcement.

“That the law, when enacted, should include the compulsory provision of functional fire extinguishers in every line/zone in all the markets across the state.

“Where the extinguishers have already been paid for by traders through a consolidated arrangement, there should be no additional charges in order to avoid double taxation.

“That ASMATA be involved in the collection of levies, with clearly defined roles captured in the law.

“That all levies collected be properly accounted for to the respective market unions, with reports forwarded to the Ministry of Trade and Commerce through ASMATA.

“That notices issued by the ministry to any market that fails to comply with the provisions of the bill should be routed through ASMATA as the parent body.”

Similarly, the ASMATA called for the establishment of arbitration panels for the purpose of resolving disputes arising among traders, market leaderships and others, with the conventional courts being the last option.

The Association noted that part of the law should include the provision that prohibits resort to legal proceedings by aggrieved traders without first exploring the market’s internal dispute resolution mechanism.

The State Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Dr Mrs Salome Obiukwu, on her part, described the proposed piece of legislation as not only timely and apt but also of enormous potential value to the sustenance and improvement of markets as a major driver of the state economy.

To ensure safety and adequate protection, Obiukwu called for measures to ensure accessibility within the markets, establishment of functional boreholes, and taskforces for the purpose of adequately regulating activities within the markets.

“Every market shall ensure a muster point. For the purpose of execution, it shall be lawful for the market leaders to raise funds through levies/contributions called “safety levy”.

“The levies shall be accounted to the market unions, with reports sent to the ministry,” the commissioner added.

Earlier the Chairman of the House Committee on Trade and Commerce, Hon. Chijioke Uruakpa, noted that the bill is a proactive response to the urgent need to create a conducive atmosphere for markets across the state to continue to serve as a major driver of economic activities in Abia State.

‘Markets remain the backbone of commerce and daily living in Abia State, particularly in commercial hubs such as Aba, where trade and enterprise thrive as a testament to the resilience and industrious spirit of our people.

“These markets provide livelihoods for thousands and contribute significantly to the economic growth of our state.

However, recent experiences and recurring challenges, especially incidents of fire outbreaks, congestion, insecurity, poor waste management, and inadequate emergency preparedness, highlight the urgent need for a comprehensive legal framework to safeguard our markets.

“This bill is a proactive response to these realities…It is aimed to produce structured safety regulations, improve coordination among relevant agencies, enforce compliance with safety standards, and ultimately protect lives, goods, and investments within our markets,” Hon. Uruakpa noted.

Hon. Uruakpa, who represents the Ugwunabo State constituency, described the public hearing on the proposed bill as a reflection of the commitment of the House of Assembly to promoting participatory democracy.