As part of activities marking Nigeria 60th Independence Anniversary, traders in Aba and Umuahia were in jubilant mood as Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, embarked on direct distribution of stimulus package to them in major markets of the state.
It would be recalled that Governor Ikpeazu had in a statement endorsed by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Chris Ezem, announced that his administration was determined to support traders who were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 lockdown in the state.
Traders in Main Market, Ariaria and Ekeoha Shopping Centre, all in Aba, started receiving cash sums distributed by designated government officials who prioritized petty traders, widows and table traders in the distribution which started from 9am with many of them seen jubilating and praising the Governor for remembering them at such a time.
According to Mrs Oluchi Nwogu who sells garden eggs at Ekeoha Shopping Center, Aba, “Governor Ikpeazu has once more demonstrated his love and care for vulnerable traders, and for the first time since we started celebrating Independence Day in Nigeria, this is the first time a Governor is doing this. My family and I will continue to pray for him and his family that God will protect and bless them for all they have been doing for helpless widows like me”.
Distribution of the stimulus package was done at Ariaria International Market and New Market in Aba as well as Orie Ugba, Ubani and Ohiya markets in Umuahia.
According to Barr Ezem, who also led the distribution to Ekeoha Shopping Center, Aba, Governor Ikpeazu commenced the direct distribution of stimulus package to traders in appreciation of the cooperation of the market community with the Abia State Government in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic”.
However, DAILY POST reports that the State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon. Ude Oko Chukwu, led the distribution team to Ubani market, Umuahia, while the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr-acb Agbazuere, led the team to Ariaria International Market. Dr Cosmos Ndukwe and Barr Suleman Ukandu, Honorable Commissioners for Trade and Lands, respectively, led the Ahia Ohuru Aba and Orie Ugba Umuahia markets respectively while Barr Chijioke Madumere of the Ministry of Science & Tech led the team to Ohiya market Umuahia.
