The Anambra State Board of Internal Revenue has initiated the enumeration and profiling of traders in markets, with the aim of gathering data for effective planning and market development.

Greg Ezeilo, chairman of the board, announced this on Thursday in Awka.

According to Mr Ezeilo, the board had trained 100 workers of the board for the programme, and the trainees are well prepared for the exercise as scheduled by the board.

Mr Ezeilo said that the trained personnel were equipped with digital tools and specialised software to carry out the enumeration seamlessly and efficiently.

“It is expected that the staffers will gather reliable data to plan with to enable the government budget and make adequate provisions for traders. We can only plan well if we have a number of traders or shops in our database and with a definite record, a great change in the market’s architecture is achievable,” he said.

The chairman assured the traders that the exercise was not aimed at increasing revenue, but rather focused on gathering accurate data for effective planning and the development of market infrastructure across the state’s key markets.

He appealed to traders to cooperate with the enumerators, saying that 10 major markets had been selected for the initial takeoff.

The markets in Onitsha are Onitsha Main Market, Ose-Onitsha Market, Relief Market, Bridgehead Market, Ochanja Market, and Drug Market. Others include Obosi Old/New Spare Parts Market, Nkpor Old/New Spare Parts Market, Nnewi Markets, and Ogidi Building Materials Markets.

According to him, the exercise is a continuous process, adding that as soon as the traders and shops in the top 10 listed markets are finally captured, the next phase will involve traders and markets classified as suburban, while the third phase will focus on rural markets.

Mr Ezeilo urged the traders to be honest with the facts they provided to their enumerators, as the exercise was not solely about increasing revenue but primarily focused on gathering accurate data for effective planning and development of market infrastructure.

He stated that the project aimed to accurately count the number of shops, stores, and traders operating in the state’s commercial centers and also to establish a robust security network in the markets across the state.

Mr Ezeilo said that the profiling would include capturing personal information, such as names, shop ownership details, and dates of birth, to create a comprehensive database that would allow quick access to trader information with the touch of a button.

Mr Ezeilo disclosed that the board had already engaged market stakeholders, including market chairpersons and line leaders, to ensure cooperation with the initiative.

He assured that both internal and external security operatives would accompany the enumerators to ensure their safety during the exercise and appealed to the traders to comply with the team without fear of endangering their businesses.

He emphasised that proper enumeration would not only enhance infrastructural planning but would also curb unregulated activities in the markets, including unqualified individuals vying for leadership positions in the market.

“The governor’s intention is to take our markets and our traders to the next level to meet international market standards,” he noted.

He urged market leaders to cooperate fully with the enumerators and to coordinate the exercise, including providing hotlines to report any challenges that may arise.

(NAN)