Enugu traders have thrown their weight behind the state Governor , Dr Peter Mbah’s second-term ambition, saying that the restoration of Monday trading, improved market infrastructure and reforms in the business environment have strengthened their confidence in his administration.
The traders, under the umbrella of the Enugu State Market Amalgamated Traders Association (ESMATA), declared their support on Friday through their president, Chinwuba Igwesi, during a meeting with the governor and representatives of more than 50 markets across the state.
Igwesi said traders across Enugu State’s 17 local government areas would support Mbah’s re-election, adding the administration’s performance had given the governor an advantage over his opponents.
“When the time comes, your work will speak for you,” he said, declaring, “No opposition in Enugu State.”
He said the shutdowns had inflicted substantial losses on traders by forcing them to close their shops and surrender valuable trading hours. He noted that the return of normal Monday activities had enabled businesses to operate throughout the week, recover lost opportunities and improve their earnings.
Igwesi also commended the government for providing transformers to markets with electricity challenges, rehabilitating and asphalting internal market roads, installing solar-powered streetlights and constructing public toilet facilities.
According to him, the projects have addressed longstanding challenges affecting traders and customers while improving security, accessibility and the overall business environment.
The ESMATA president acknowledged the provision of utility vehicles to market leadership, the appointment of some market leaders into government and the approval of pilgrimage opportunities for selected traders’ representatives.
He said the interventions demonstrated the administration’s recognition of the market community as a critical component of Enugu’s economy.
Igwesi attributed the governor’s sensitivity to traders’ concerns partly to his business background, arguing that his understanding of the challenges facing entrepreneurs had informed policies intended to support commercial activities.
On taxation, he dismissed claims of a general tax increase, explaining that the government had streamlined tax payments through a unified system.
He said traders were willing to meet their tax obligations because they could see development projects being executed across the state.
According to him, visible infrastructure investments had strengthened confidence in the administration and reinforced the belief that tax revenues were contributing to development.
The ESMATA president also identified the building materials sector as a beneficiary of the administration’s economic policies, particularly the directive that contractors handling projects in Enugu should patronise local suppliers where the required materials were available within the state.
He said the policy had increased patronage for local businesses, retained more transactions within Enugu and created additional opportunities for traders.
Igwesi also praised the government’s investment in healthcare infrastructure, describing the international hospital project as a demonstration of the scale of development taking place in the state.
Responding, Governor Mbah thanked the market leaders for their support and pledged to deepen the administration’s economic and infrastructure initiatives.
He said the proposed cargo terminal at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport would improve the movement of goods, connect Enugu businesses to international markets and create new opportunities for commercial operators.
The governor also disclosed plans for direct cargo operations between Enugu and China, which he said would enable traders to source goods more directly and at more affordable rates.
The initiative, according to him, would reduce difficulties associated with importing goods, improve access to international supply chains and make Enugu businesses more competitive.
Mbah described the Idodo International Market project as another strategic investment aimed at expanding the state’s commercial infrastructure and attracting more traders, investors and economic activities.
He said the projects formed part of a broader agenda to reposition Enugu as a major commercial destination in the South
The governor also linked the construction of the International Conference Centre, Enugu, to efforts to restore the state’s historic prominence as a centre for major national events and gatherings.
He explained that attracting conferences and other large-scale events would generate business for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, traders and other service providers.
Mbah, however, stressed that sustained investment in security remained essential to achieving the state’s economic ambitions, noting that investors and visitors needed a safe environment in which to conduct business.
He reiterated his target of growing Enugu’s economy from an estimated $4bn to $30bn, saying the administration was pursuing investments and policies designed to expand productivity, attract businesses and create more economic opportunities.
The governor also assured traders that their interests would remain central to his administration’s economic policies, citing his experience in business as a source of understanding of the challenges entrepreneurs face.
He pledged to sustain engagement with market leaders and ensure that government decisions supported commercial growth rather than undermined traders’ livelihoods
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The meeting was attended by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Market Liaison, Hon. Dr. Chinedu Mbah; the Senior Special Assistant on Security, Vincent Onyeaboor; and the Special Adviser on Political Matters, High Chief Frank Anioma.
