Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia has inaugurated an Interim Management Committee (IMC) to oversee the affairs of Umuchieze Cattle Market, Lokpanta Umunneochi.

In a statement by Okiyi Kalu, Abia Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr Ikpeazu charged its members to ensure the market did not serve as a launching pad for attacks by criminal elements.

“We are worried about the recent upsurge in criminal activities around the cattle market.

“So you must ensure that trading activities happen only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. with all cargo-carrying vehicles parked inside the market as against the current practice of parking on the highway,” he directed.

Represented at the launching of the committee by the trade and investment commissioner, the governor said Abia had been home to people from diverse places.

He vowed that the state would not tolerate any ungoverned space within its boundaries.

“As members of this interim market committee, you are expected to help translate our vision of making the state the number one trade and investment destination in the country.

“You are also expected to help make the state a place where visitors and residents coexist peacefully to maximally benefit from the enablers provided by the government,” Mr Ikpeazu said.

He further urged the committee to ensure that all traders within the market were issued with identity cards and revenue collection streamlined to avoid multiple taxation and extortion.

Buba Abdullahi, the committee’s chairman, assured that it would carry out its task in the people’s best interest and work towards ensuring a harmonious relationship between cattle traders and the host community.

Janet Agbede, Abia Police Commissioner, charged them to ensure peace and tranquillity within the market while addressing committee members in her office.

(NAN)