The local government areas affected by this situation include Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Ogbaru, and Idemili North.
Soludo, while speaking in Onitsha during the official launch of the Anambra Anti-Tout Squad on Monday, declared that his administration would not tolerate leaders who shelter and conspire with troublemakers to threaten, frighten, and extort money from unsuspecting traders.
The governor’s response comes in the wake of reports about the growing problem of troublemakers and hooligans in the local markets. He expressed his regret over the fact that these individuals were intimidating and extorting money from innocent traders who came to conduct their business in the area.
He mentioned that when the current market leaders’ tenure concludes at the end of March next year, it will not be renewed if the activities of troublemakers persist.
Observing that the market leaders were conspicuously absent during his visit, Soludo inquired: “Where are the market leaders? Mr. President, where are your colleagues in the market ?”
He added: “They are supposed to be here. All the same, you know that your tenure would end in March next year, and come April 1st next year, we are not going to renew your tenures because of what the touts are doing in the markets and some of you are using those touts to rip off innocent traders and members of the public and make money.”
“I want to make it clear that if any tout is found in your markets, we are not going to renew your tenures and all of you will be sacked.”
“We have five local government areas where these touts operate, which are Onitsha North and South, Oyi, Ogbaru, and Idemili North and I had announced that those petty traders should not pay tax or any levy at all, but the market leaders use the touts to obtain money from them.”
Soludo recollected that in earlier times, individuals from Northern and various other regions of the country used to engage in commerce in Onitsha. He expressed his regret, though, that the local economy in Onitsha, and by extension, the entire Anambra State, had been seriously harmed as a result of the actions of these troublemakers.
The Commissioner for Homeland Matters, Chief Chikodi Anarah, also delivered a message, cautioning all troublemakers in Anambra State to vacate the state immediately. He emphasized that the state government would not hesitate to take action against anyone discovered engaging in troublesome activities anywhere in the state.
He stated that the activities of the Anti-Tout Squad would persist until all troublemakers had vacated the state, cautioning that individuals lacking a legal and noticeable source of income within the parks would be subject to the complete enforcement of the law.
Mr. Emeka Orji, the Chairman of Onitsha South local government area, represented the five council chairmen and pledged their cooperation with the new team to eliminate touting in the region. He disclosed that they had been contending with troublemakers previously and noted that their efforts were already producing positive outcomes.