The President, Mandilas International Trade Centre (MITC), Lagos Trade Fair Complex and Coordinator, Soludo Support Group (SSG), Lagos State Chapter, Chief Anthony Okeke has welcomed the very first administrative action taken by the new Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo less than 24 hours after being sworn in in Awka.
It would be recalled that a day after being sworn in, he ordered the cessation of all rates and taxes in the state with the aim of restructuring them for efficiency, blocking of leakages and the common good of traders.
In an interview, Chief Okeke explained that “over the years, rates and tax collection in the state had been characterised with inefficiency and leakages, saying the planned restructuring by the governor means that he will be a listening governor, because some of us had written and called for restructuring of the way and manners taxes and rates are collected in the markets and the state in general.”
Business Hilights recalls that in an article earlier written by Chief Okeke in February this year titled; ‘Markets Refrom Potentials in the emerging economy of Anambra State’ , he averred that, “It is a clear fact that we Ndianambra are by nature, businessmen and women. This accounts for the numerous business ventures by our citizens both within the state and outside.
“No doubt, Anambra is blessed with mega markets across the three zones of the state and these markets are growing daily in both size and number of business operators.
“However, as a market leader with the requisite education and understanding over the years, I have come to realise that majority of markets in our state are in need of tax, organisational and infrastructural reforms so as to enable them deepen their potentials to the advantages of the state government and the business owners.
“The type of reforms needed by many markets in the state include provision of social amenities including good access roads, security, fire fighting equipment, cement roofing of shops, provision of conveniences both for business operators and visiting customers.
“Other nneeded refroms include carrying along of market leaders in strategic government decisions to avoid introduction of unacceptable reforms in markets.
“In the cause of reforming Anambra markets for growth and sustainable development, there shall be grading of markets according to their sizes and stuffs they deal on as this will enable the government know the level of infrastructures befitting every market.
“Markets like Auto Spare Parts in Nnewi, Head Bridge, Onitsha main market and others in their grade will need special attention considering their sizes, goods and services they are known for.
According to Ezekwueche Aguleri and Convener/Sponsor; Anambra Men & Women For Soludo, “In my views as a market leader in Nigeria, when these markets are given the needed business enabling infrastructures, it will afford the government the opportunity of either raising market taxes or introducing new ones. By this strategy, the government will be in a position to make more than double of what it has been making from Anambra market.”
The University of Lagos trained Business Administrator also averred that “As a seasoned and tested market administrator, carrying out all these refroms as explained above will help in sanitising the business environment and putting every identified market on growth lane.
“No doubt, the incoming administration of Prof Soludo clearly is in a haste to reposition the state in the part of development and it demands on all of us to come up with strategic solutions based on our professional backgrounds.
“I have been in the business of trading and market leadership over the years in Lagos with several laurels won on good market leadership. My experience in market management will help immensely in repositioning Anambra markets.
“I am the current President of the popular Mandilas International Trade Centre (MITC), Lagos International Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway, Lagos. The reforms introduced by my administration since my first tenure till my current second tenure have moved the market to enviable heights in reckoning.
“We have won several awards as the best organised trading centre across the state of Lagos. Only recently, MITC under my administration was crowned the best secured market in Lagos. It is important to explain that these awards, which I cannot mention all here did not just come so easy, but through sustainable reforms introduced by my administration from time to time.
Concluding his article, Chief Okeke made it clear, saying “To me, I believe that my State, Anambra deserves the best and it will only come when all of us with requisite experiences join hands together with the incoming government to move the state forward in our own different fields.”
Business Hilights recalls that Prof Soludo had ordered cessation of all collections of state revenue for one month so as to give way for a strategic reform before resumption.
