Gov Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has inaugurated 23 new State Executive of Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) in the state.
Nwifuru inaugurated the executive on Thursday, during the Association’s first executive stakeholders meeting in Abakaliki.
He charged them on transparency and accountability for collection of quality data of all members.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the newly elected exco, comprised 10 members from the state level and 13 at the local governments and it is headed by Mr Godwin Okpoto as Chairman.
The governor, represented by Prof Nwogo Obasi, Commissioner for Market Development and Park, urged the group to take charge of the operation through collaboration with partners to achieve set goals.
He lauded the programme and expressed readiness of the state government to provide and support the group to succeed.
He expected that the function of the group goes beyond being member but work with human face.
“Be transparent and thorough for smooth exercise in collection of quality data because the state and federal governments will rely on the data to carry out equitable distribution of its plans to the informal sector,” Nwifuru said.
In his remarks, Okpoto, member of the new executive, promised to unite all members of the market, abide by the rules and regulation that guided the market to achieve the needed results and collection of data.
Okpoto described MATAN as an umbrella body for all trading associations in the country.
According to him, the project initated by the federal government, was aimed at enhancing living standards of the informal sector, rural dwellers and others involved in goods and services.
“The project will accommodate everyone and incentives that will pass through MATAN will reach the grassroots with records that will show inputs, palliatives, grants, loan and others were given to number of people.
“We will not default and promise not to disappoint the group,” Okpoto said.
Mr Okey Otielekwa, Assistant Manager, Federal Inland Revenue Service in the state, said collaboration with the group would make services and plans seemless.
Mr Greg Nwerem, the South East Zonal Project Coordinator, said that the body was founded in 1995 and largest player in the country’s market space with a membership of over 40 million traders across the country.
Nwerem explained that the focu was on market welfare to better lives, adding that some members had been profiled for employment which was a relief for state government.
Another participant and Chairman Stakeholders Forum, Mr Peter Oba, pledged to work with the organisers of the project to ensure the aims and objectives were achieved.
NAN reports that the event featured presentation of award of recognition to Nwifuru as the National patron of MATAN with certificates to exco members.
NAN also reports that the meeting featured lecture on “data collection for good budget. (NAN
