Anambra's Economy, a Function of its Social Stability says Hon Okafor

By Ikenna Aniagboso

Anambra State Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Wealth Creation, Hon Uchenna Okafor has attributed the economic and commercial stability of the state to the peaceful and enabling environment created by the Obiano administration.

Speaking recently to members of Gov Willie Obiano's media team in Awka, Hon Okafor revealed that the huge economy and the thriving commercial activities witnessed in the state is practically hinged on the security and safety of the state's business environment.

Describing security as the fulcrum of every functional and progressive economy, the Commissioner commended Gov Obiano for making Anambra state safe for traders, investors and patrons alike. In his words, "let me tell you, what determines the economic stability of every state is its social stability and the paramount appendage of social stability is security. This is why Governor Willie Obiano provided security in Anambra state and it has proven to be the catalyst that made every other thing to work".

"You cannot talk about development in a place that is not secured", stressed Okafor. "This is because security is the only thing that can encourage investors and this is why Gov Obiano ensured that Anambra became the safest state in Nigeria".

Continuing, the commissioner said that "security is the greatest thing you can give to us in this geographical part of the world. Here in Anambra the strategy of the Obiano administration and the security agencies is geared towards ensuring that crime is nipped in the bud and criminals are chased out of the with no chance of returning.

The priority given to security by the Obiano administration has permeated into the several market unions in Anambra state, creating a peaceful atmosphere that has encouraged patronage from West Africa and beyond. Businesses are thriving and international partnerships and opportunities are opening up for ndi Anambra because of the safe and peaceful business environment.

According to Hon Okafor, "the usual skirmishes and feuds associated with market unions and other trade associations are absent in Anambra state. This is because government has cultivated a cordial relationship with the market unions".

"For us here in Anambra we are so organised that we treat the market unions as another tier of Government. It is our own arrangement here in Anambra State. Apart from different markets having their leadership, we have a central body called ASAMATA (Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association)l, a leadership that is in charge of a consortium of all the markets in Anambra State.

Going further, he said, "under my watch, many of the markets have had their elections and they were free and fair. That can be achieved once you allow the leadership of the markets to be according to the will of the traders. When that happens, there is no way there will be a problem. As far as I am concerned the relationship is quite cordial and elections have been very free and fair until the covid-19 period.

"As a result of the ban on social and public gathering, we couldn't gather the people in the name of election because their lives are more important to the Governor than the election so we installed caretaker committees and the committees were set up according to the desire and will of the people in the markets because we understand that if the markets in Anambra are calm then Anambra is calm".