…Accuse Him of Highandedness
…Demand Payment of IGR to TSA.
Tension has gripped the Timber and Allied Market in Naze, Owerri North Local Government Area, as traders raise alarm over what they described as continued harassment, intimidation, and illegal levies allegedly spearheaded by the Local Government Council Chairman, Hon. Lucky Abaraonye.
This is even as they accused the said LGA Chairman of highandedness and poor management of the Market.
Speaking to Lead Express, one of the executive members of the Market who gave his name as Chief Amadi appealed to Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma to return the Management of the Market to the State through Ministry pointing out that continued leaving the management of the Market to the Local government would spell doom to both the Government and Traders.
In his submission, Chief Okay Onyeukwu, a trader in the said Market advised the Government to compel the Traders to be paying every lecy to direct to the Government account and not the other way round alleging that the Local Government does not remit all the Money accruable from the Market to the State Government.
In their various remarks,Some of the to the traders revealed that the unrest began on April 29, 2025, when Hon. Abaraonye visited the market to introduce himself as the new authority overseeing the market. His visit, they claimed was accompanied by individuals alleged to be cultists and street urchins, whose actions have led to serious insecurity within and around the market premises.
The traders reported an increase in criminal activity, including the emergence of hideouts within the market, which pose a growing threat to both sellers and customers. They accuse the Chairman’s agents of forcefully collecting illegal levies, creating a hostile and unsafe environment for business.
In a passionate appeal, the traders have called on the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, to intervene and restore order. They emphasized that under the previous arrangement, when the market was managed by the State Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, peace and stability prevailed.
They argue that since the market was established as a State Government-coordinated venture, its management and revenue collection should remain under the purview of the state government. They insist that all levies should be remitted directly into the Imo State Treasury Single Account (TSA), rather than collected through what they describe as unauthorized agents.
Despite the challenges, the traders expressed appreciation to Governor Uzodimma for the reconstruction of the Egbu–Road Safety–Naze access road, which leads to the market. They pledged their continued support to the state government by ensuring prompt payment of stallage fees and other legitimate dues through the TSA.
They further reiterated their plea for immediate action to curtail what they termed as “confusion and chaos” introduced by the local council chairman, warning that the escalating tension could result in loss of lives if unchecked.
However every effort made to hear the version of the Local Government Chairman, Hon Abaraonye at the time of filing this report proved abortive as his phone was switched off
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