The Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Trade, Commerce and Industry, has assured the leadership of Onitsha Market Traders Union of the state government’s commitment to providing them with adequate social amenities at the Onitsha Main Market.

The Committee made the pledge yesterday during a familiarisation tour of the leadership of the market as part of its oversight responsibility.

Addressing the Union, the chairman of the Committee, Dr. Peter Ibida, said that their visit to the market leadership was to identify the challenges of Onitsha Main Market with a view to proffering solutions to them.

He said that by solving the problems facing the market and ensuring stability, the market will continue to generate more income for the state, especially now that the country is facing economic crunch.

The legislators however, frowned at the absence of the Chairman of Onitsha Market Traders Union, Mr. Dozie Okeke, during the meeting even when he knew that the committee was visiting the union, and summoned him to appear before the Committee at the State House of Assembly in Awka.

Addressing the Committee, the Secretary of the Union, Mr. Nwabueze Egwuatu, hailed Governor Willie Obiano’s administration for installing street lights on old market road and Johnson Street, which has provided security to the market.

He appealed to the governor to make provision for a functional fire service for the market and stop traders from trading on roads within the market as it affects the market revenue profile.

The Committee also visited Ochanja and Abada markets both in Onitsha where they assured the leadership of the markets that government will partner with them to arrest their challenges so that the markets will continue to record business boom to generate more income for the state.

•Photo shows Anambra State House of Assembly Complex.