Enugu traders reaffirm support for Gov Mbah’s second term

Market traders and leaders across Enugu State have assured Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah of their support for a second term in office, declaring that his administration’s development strides, market-friendly policies and interventions in the trading sector have strengthened their confidence in his leadership.

The traders, under the umbrella of the Enugu State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ESMATA), led by its President, Chief Chinwuba Igwesi, gave the assurance on Friday, 23 October during a high-level market stakeholders’ meeting with the governor.

The meeting, which brought together chairmen and secretaries of more than 50 markets across the state, provided an opportunity for the traders to express their appreciation for the administration’s development initiatives, highlight improvements in the business environment and discuss measures to further expand commercial activities across Enugu State.

Speaking on behalf of the association, Igwesi said traders across the 17 local government areas were prepared to support Governor Mbah’s re-election, citing what he described as visible development, improved business conditions and the administration’s responsiveness to the concerns of the market community.

He particularly commended the governor for ending the illegal Monday sit-at-home disruption that had previously forced traders to lose substantial income by shutting their businesses on Mondays. According to him, the restoration of normal commercial activities throughout the week has enabled traders to open their shops daily and improve their earnings.

The ESMATA president said the return of regular market activities had brought relief to traders, whose businesses had suffered from repeated disruptions, uncertainty and lost trading opportunities.

Igwesi also expressed gratitude to Mbah for approving the provision of transformers to markets without adequate electricity, the asphalting of road networks within several markets and the installation of solar-powered streetlights to improve visibility, security and commercial activities.

He noted that these interventions were helping to address long-standing infrastructure challenges that had affected traders and customers, while making the markets more accessible and conducive to business.

The market leaders further appreciated the governor for the construction of toilet facilities in markets, the release of utility vehicles to market leadership and the appointment of some market leaders into his administration. They also commended him for approving pilgrimage opportunities for some market leaders during the year, describing the gestures as indications that the government recognises and values the contributions of traders to the state’s economy.

Igwesi said the traders were particularly proud that Mbah understood their challenges because of his background in business, adding that they considered his performance in office a source of pride for the market community.

According to him, the governor’s understanding of the realities of trading had been reflected in policies and decisions aimed at improving the business environment, strengthening commercial activities and supporting the livelihoods of traders and their families.

The ESMATA president also addressed concerns surrounding taxation, dismissing rumours of a general increase in taxes. He explained that the administration’s approach had involved the unification of taxes into a single account, rather than the alleged increase being circulated.

He said traders were willing to pay their taxes because they could see development projects and public infrastructure being delivered across the state. He maintained that the visible use of public revenue for development had strengthened traders’ confidence in the government and its management of resources.

Igwesi further observed that business activities in Enugu were thriving, particularly in the building materials sector, which he said had experienced improved commercial prospects under the current administration.

He attributed part of the growth to the governor’s directive requiring contractors handling projects in the state to purchase construction materials from local suppliers in Enugu instead of sourcing them from outside the state where such materials were available locally.

According to him, the policy had helped retain more business transactions within Enugu, increased patronage for local traders and contributed to the growth of businesses dealing in building materials and related supplies.

The ESMATA president also praised the administration’s investment in healthcare infrastructure, recounting his experience during a visit to the international hospital project. He said the facility was so impressive that he momentarily felt as though he had travelled to Dubai.

He described the project as evidence of the scale of development taking place in the state and said such investments were helping to reshape perceptions of Enugu while improving the prospects for economic growth.

In a strong declaration of support, Igwesi said Mbah’s record of performance had given him an advantage over opposition candidates ahead of the next governorship election.

He assured the governor that the market community would stand firmly behind his re-election bid, urging him to remain focused on delivering development and improving the welfare of residents.

“When the time comes, your work will speak for you,” he said, while reiterating the traders’ position with the declaration: “No opposition in Enugu State.”

The market leaders, speaking in unison, also assured the governor that he could remain confident in the support of traders, insisting that the development taking place across the state had strengthened their resolve to back his administration for another term.

They maintained that the market community was encouraged by the governor’s approach to governance and the recognition given to traders as important partners in Enugu’s economic development.

Responding, Governor Mbah thanked the market leaders for the visit and for acknowledging his administration’s efforts, assuring them that the state would witness even greater development if they renewed his mandate by voting him back into office.

The governor said his administration remained committed to expanding the state’s economic opportunities, improving infrastructure and positioning Enugu as a leading destination for business, investment and commercial activities.

He outlined several initiatives intended to strengthen the trading sector, including plans to develop a cargo terminal at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, to improve the movement of goods and connect businesses in the state to international markets.

Mbah explained that the cargo terminal would help open Enugu to the world, facilitate the movement of goods and create opportunities for traders and businesses to participate more directly in international commerce.

He also disclosed plans for direct cargo operations between Enugu and China, which he said would soon commence, enabling Enugu traders to import goods directly from China at more affordable rates.

The governor said the initiative was designed to reduce the difficulties traders encounter when sourcing goods, improve access to international supply chains and strengthen the competitiveness of businesses operating in Enugu.

He further highlighted the ongoing construction of the International Market at Idodo, describing it as part of the administration’s broader strategy to expand commercial infrastructure and create more opportunities for traders, investors and other economic players.

According to him, the government is deliberately expanding Enugu’s business space through infrastructure, connectivity and strategic investments that will enable the state to attract more commercial activities and create opportunities for its people.

Mbah also spoke about his efforts to reconnect Enugu to the centre of national activities, noting that the state had been losing some of its historic prominence as the capital of the former Southern Region and a leading political and administrative centre in the South-East.

He said the construction of the International Conference Centre (ICC), Enugu, was part of the strategy to restore the state’s standing by providing a modern venue for major national events, conferences and gatherings.

The governor explained that hosting such events would bring participants, visitors and businesspeople into Enugu, creating opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, traders and other service providers to benefit from increased economic activities.

He stressed that the government’s investment in security was equally important to this ambition, noting that a safe environment was necessary to attract thousands of visitors and ensure that businesses could operate without fear.

Mbah said the administration was working to provide a secure environment supported by an effective security system, adding that safety, infrastructure and economic planning must work together to make Enugu an attractive destination for business and investment.

On the state’s economic future, the governor reaffirmed his ambition to grow Enugu’s economy from an estimated $4 billion to a $30 billion economy, stressing that the target was linked to his administration’s determination to expand productivity, attract investment, strengthen local businesses and create more opportunities for residents.

He described Enugu as a state with significant economic potential and expressed confidence that ongoing and planned investments would help accelerate its growth.

The governor also reassured the traders that their interests would remain a priority in his administration, declaring that he would not support policies designed to undermine the trading community.

Mbah said his personal experience in business had given him an understanding of the challenges traders face, including the demands of running businesses, sourcing goods, meeting financial obligations and sustaining livelihoods.

He assured the market leaders that he would continue to consider the implications of government policies for traders and ensure that the administration’s economic agenda supported rather than hindered their activities.

The governor’s remarks reinforced the administration’s position that traders and other business operators are central to Enugu’s development strategy and must benefit from policies intended to grow the state’s economy.

The meeting was attended by key government officials, including the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Market Liaison, Dr Chinedu Mbah; the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Mr Vincent Onyeaboor; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Frank Anioma. The three officials accompanied the governor in receiving the market leaders.

The engagement underscored the importance of sustained dialogue between the state government and the market community, with traders expressing appreciation for completed interventions while the governor outlined further plans aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding access to international trade and strengthening Enugu’s commercial position.

With the ESMATA leadership and representatives of more than 50 markets expressing confidence in the administration, the meeting highlighted the growing significance of the trading sector in the state’s economic and political conversations ahead of the next governorship election.

For the traders, the central message was that market infrastructure, reliable security, access to goods, improved business opportunities and visible development would remain important measures of government performance. For Governor Mbah, the meeting provided an opportunity to reaffirm his commitment to building a more connected, secure and commercially vibrant Enugu State.