The leadership of Imo State Amalgamated Market Traders Association (ISAMATA) has given a monthly revenue target for the prompt payment of tolls to boast Imo State Internally generated Revenue under the Treasury Single Account, (TSA) a system that has ensured transparency in government transactions.
Addressing newsmen in his office, The ISAMATA President, Comrade Emmanuel Ezeanochie stated that the target given to the Executives of all markets in the 27 Councils is to ensure their compliance as many market executives are very docile in the discharge of their duties.
Ezeanochie affirmed that such meetings have availed both the State Leadership of ISAMATA and Market leaders the opportunity to brainstorm on the issues of revenue collection and security of the all Markets in the State.
He pointed out that, they intend to support the government through regular and prompt payment of revenue accruable to the State as the governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has done well in the areas of infrastructure and need to be assisted in all ramifications to do more.
In his words, “we had a meeting with the executives of all markets in the State, and we discussed on ways to effectively secure the markets from criminal attacks. We have night security operatives guiding the market Squares but they do not work at day time, only night hours. So the criminal elements have resolved to operate during the day. For instance, at the International Market Orlu, the Traders were robbed from shop to shop at a gun point. The same thing also happened at Orie Okporo Market. So we have taken a decision on it, but it is not what we will make public. Another one is on revenue issues. Our market executives have failed to comply with the prompt payment of revenues to ensure that the payment are paid as at when due. They were given targets. So any of the executives that fails to meet up with the target will have themselves to blame”. Ezeanochie explained.
He used the medium to thank God, Imo Government and the Security agents for the release of an ISAMATA State Executive Member, Hon. Udoka Mgbemere who was kidnapped a fortnight ago and has been reunited with his family. According to him, their prompt response to the cry of the family and the traders yielded fruit.
