The State House of Assembly has set-up a 7-man committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the crisis in Ika Ika Oqua (Marian) market in Calabar Municipality.
The committee which was given about 10 days to submit its report has, Rt Hon Davies Etta(Abi), as chairman, Hon Okon Owuna(Akamkpa I), Hon Stanley Nsemo(Calabar Municipal), Hon Effiong Ekarika(Calabar South I).Other Members are; Hon Odey Brian Wonah (Yala I), Hon. Eyo Bassey Edet(Bakassi) and Hon Omang Charles Omang (Bekwara).
The House set up the the committee, following a matter of urgent public interest presented by Hon. Stanley Nsemo who requested the House to investigate and stop alleged cases of illegal levies, multiple taxation, violence and brutalization of traders by market managers in the popular Marian market.
Nsemo informed that, he had received a petition from the National Union of Shop and Distributive Employees(NUSDE) titled “complaints of crisis and atrocious activities orchestrated by Emmanuel Mbora and Edim Imok at Ika Ika Market: A call for urgent intervention”
According to Nsemo, the petition outlined several allegations against the market managers, ranging from illegal levies, multiple taxation, violence and brutalization of traders, adding that petty traders are made to pay as much as #1370 daily on tolls.
In their separate contributions, Members seriously condemned the situation. They emphasised that it was inimical to the “people first” mantra of the present administration. They also emphasised that, it was barbaric for people to brutalise others in the name of revenue collection. They unanimously voted for a committee to investigate the matter with a view to solving the crisis.
At the end of the debate, the Speaker, Rt Hon. Elvert Ayambem commended the lawmakers for their concern for the citizenry. He reiterated that the House will not tolerate the recalcitrant behaviour of the market managers adding that anyone who disobeys the laws of the state will face appropriate sanctions:
“This is the People’s Assembly, what affects the people affects the House directly. We will not tolerate the recalcitrant behaviour of anybody. The House will ensure that anybody who goes against the laws of the land will be punished.” He said.
Itam offor
