Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) has placed a ban on daily and weekly prayers in market places of the state,over alleged extortion and political jamboree.
President General of the body, Chief Ikechukwu Ekwegbalu, made the declaration on Wednesday in Onitsha while addressing market unions and leaders.
Ekwegbalu frowned at the attitude of involving the police or Ministry of Trade and Commerce when issues that should be resolved within the market leadership arose.
The ASMATA boss also condemned revenue racketeering, urging leaders of various market union to dully remit revenues generated from their respective markets into the state government coffers.
According to him, the market general prayers would henceforth be held once a month, adding that the proscription became necessary following alleged extortion and conversion of the spiritual exercise to a political jamboree.
He noted that: “This move became very necessary because we have discovered that some overzealous ones abuse this practice by extorting market men and women regularly of their hard-earned resources.
“Some have turned the prayers into a somewhat political jamboree and this is not healthy for the system.
He said, “We call on traders vying for elective positions to follow due processes in the course of their campaign in accordance with the constitution of the market and not engage in any activity capable of threatening the credibility of the election.
“All market leaders are expected to meet with the traders and unanimously agree on a suitable date and ensure to observe the monthly prayers within a stipulated time of between 7am to 10am.”
He urged traders to seek redress through the appropriate processes within the ambits of the constitution when there were disagreements.
