Traders in Akwa Ibom under the auspices of National Association of Nigerian Traders say they have concluded plans to support the presidential ambition of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
They have also thrown their weight behind the Governorship aspiration of Mr Umoh Enoh who they described as one of them and who they trust to continue with the current good relationship between the association and the state government.
President of NANT in the state Mr Udorenyin Rapheal who made this known in Uyo on Wednesday while briefing newsmen said their decision to support the Governor is because he is well positioned to transform Nigeria.
Rapheal explained that the Governor had also in 2015 empowered the traders with N2B loan facility for their businesses and has pledged to also increase the revolving loan to N4B this year.
The N500m according to Umoh who is also the Special Assistant to the Governor on Traders Matters would be spent on producing campaign materials for the presidential bid of the Governor.
“We are going to donate over 500 million Naira , we are going to provide buses, we’re going to print flyers. We are asking him to run, we are behind him. He has what it takes. He has proven to us that he has what it takes to transform Nigeria.
” As traders,we normally protest ten times a year but now there are no protests. He has created an enabling environment . Imagine a timbre trader given three to four million Naira to trade. We are leaders of this organisation. So , he is the most qualified person for this position in Nigeria.
” I am speaking on behalf of the National Traders Association, Akwa Ibom State chapter and south South. All the traders are waiting for him and they are saying he should run for president.” He said.
He further stated that because the Governor had supported them and ensured a peaceful environment for business to thrive in the state, the traders have also thrown their hearts to support his preferred successor, Eno.
Rapheal maintained that as an entrepreneur, the former Lands and Housing Commissioner would bring his wealth of experience to upgrade the economy of the state while as a business man and employer of labour he would support trade and investment in the state to thrive.
In addition the president said that during his brief stay as a commissioner he approved more than 200 Certificates of Occupancy for the traders with additional promise of 50 more adding that his disposition would attract more businesses to the state.
“And that is why on Saturday, we will shut down all the markets in the state and come out enmasse to support both the Presidential bid of our dear governor and the Governorship bid of one of us, Pastor Umoh Enoh because we know that both in power will revive the economy of both the country and the state.” He concluded.
Other leaders of the association including the chairman of Nigerian Association of Automobile Technicians, Mr Umoh Paul, Chairman of Timber Dealers Association Mr Effiong Ekpeyong, Chairman of Cooperative Federation Mr Asuquo Jonah and chairperson of women traders in the state Mrs Magdalene Udom in their different submissions said traders in the state had not had it so good in recent times.
They expressed support for the upcoming Ibom Deep Seaport and the new international market in Uyo which according to them would not only make the state the epicentre of business in the region but would reduce the prices of goods in the area.
