By Julius Agadaga
The Caretaker Committee of the Ebonyi State Market Men and Amalgamated Traders Association on Saturday said it is prepared to promote the welfare of its members and ensure sustainable development across all markets in the state.
Mr. Linus Obeji, President of the association, who spoke in an interview with journalists in Abakaliki, noted that the committee would launch a “Data Record Taking” exercise to identify the number of markets operating in the 13 local government areas of the state.
He added that the committee has plans to support small and medium-scale businesses to grow.
“This time around, we are going to identify the leaders in various markets. All markets in the state are under our watch.
“We have numerous markets in the state, and we have designed a plan to visit all the local government areas. Through the chairmen in these areas, we will identify all operational markets.
“We are not going to centre our leadership in the state capital. We will ensure that markets in rural areas also benefit from our administration.
“We are going to visit all the 13 local government areas to obtain records and the names of all markets. We will work in collaboration with all our members.
“We will not depend only on urban markets like the Rice Mill, International Market, and timber/building materials markets. We want to understand what is happening in rural markets.
“We express our profound gratitude to Gov. Francis Nwifuru for the confidence reposed in us by appointing us as members of the Caretaker Committee of this noble association.
“This appointment is not only an honour but also a call to service. We are fully committed to discharging our responsibilities with diligence, transparency, and integrity.
“We shall work with other stakeholders to advance the welfare of traders and ensure sustainable development across all markets,” he said.
Our correspondent reports that the committee was inaugurated sometime in March 2026.
The committee is made up of nine members, including Obeji as President; Israel Egbere, Secretary; Nwancho Ogbonna, Financial Secretary; Nwinya Darlington, Treasurer; and Ugo Okechukwu, Organising Secretary.
Others are Sunday Onu, Welfare Officer; Ogbuefi Awoke, Public Relations Officer; Okem Uchenna, Auditor; and Joseph Ogala, Provost.
Obeji also thanked Mr. Sylvester Nwifuru, patron of the association, for his fatherly role in ensuring that the committee was established.
