By Juliana Nwachukwu
The Mayor of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Hon. Chief Emeka Orji has initiated moves to resolve the lingering disputes among eight unions operating in the building materials market along the Onitsha-Atani Road.
Hon. Orji made the move during a meeting with representatives of the affected unions at the Council Secretariat, Woliwo, Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State on Sept. 3.
The Mayor directed the President General of Allied Building Materials Nteje, the newly constructed market, Chief Ejike Ignatius, also known as Nweze Ifite Ogwari, and the Chairman of the Onitsha Building Materials Traders Association (OBMTA), Chief Chukwukodinaka Ejiofor (Nwawelugo), to convene a harmonisation meeting among the unions.
He directed the two union leaders to constitute a committee comprising five representatives from each union, including the chairman, secretary and three other stakeholders, to deliberate on the issues responsible for the disagreements and submit their recommendations for his consideration and final resolution.
Hon. Orji also proposed a shop redistribution arrangement at the Nteje market, urging traders who own multiple shops to make some available to those without shops. He suggested that traders with 50 or 100 shops could release 20, 30 or 50 respectively for allocation to interested traders at the original construction cost, rather than the current market value following the appreciation of the location.
The mayor said he had initially assumed that the disagreement was primarily related to shop construction and allocation. However, noted that discussions at the meeting revealed other underlying issues, including ongoing court cases, alleged lack of accountability and unresolved internal matters among the unions.
He also acknowledged complaints from some members of OBMTA who claimed they were not included in the initial construction arrangements for the new market at Nteje. According to him, their subsequent interest in joining the project had become difficult because construction was already at an advanced stage, with available spaces being developed for existing members
emphasising the need for dialogue, peaceful engagement and a comprehensive resolution of the disputes.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Chief Ejike said several unions raised concerns about accountability and the timing of elections, despite earlier claims that some members did not have shops at Nteje. He explained that although his union had not yet rendered its financial account, members had agreed that the accounts would be presented after completion of the ongoing construction works and relocation of traders to the new market.
He added that the building committees of the various unions would also be expected to render their accounts before fresh elections are conducted. Chief Ejike further disclosed that some traders who had initially declined to participate in the Nteje project had expressed renewed interest as construction progressed. He commended Mayor Orji for his intervention, including his decision to provide the council secretariat hall for subsequent meetings, noting that the government’s efforts would help restore peace and unity among the unions.
Also speaking, the Chairman of OBMTA, Chief Ejiofor, commended the Mayor for the initiative and pledged the union leaders’ commitment to resolving their differences. Chief Ejiofor appealed to the parties involved to withdraw pending court cases and embrace an out-of-court settlement in line with the Mayor’s directive, stressing that peace was essential to the growth of the market and the welfare of traders.
The unions represented at the meeting included Trinity and Unity Union, Premiere Lock-Up Shops, Steel Pipe Dealers Union, God’s Favour Iron Dealers Union, Combined Union, Plumbing/PVC Dealers Union and Iron Dealers Union, Atani Road.
Comments
Post a Comment