By Kingston Magare 27-5-2025
Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 elections and former Anambra State governor said the N700, 000 levy imposed on traders at the Onitsha Head Bridge Market is insensitive and an economic sabotage.
The Onitsha Head Bridge Market was closed down by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, in its bid to stem the production and distribution of fake drugs and other consumables.
But according to reports the federal government agency has imposed a fee of N700,000 per trader for the market to be reopened.
Writing on his X social media page Tuesday Obi described the development led to the collapse of the many small and medium enterprises and the traders forced to economic hardship.
“I recall visiting the Head Bridge Market during the initial phase of its closure, standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods,” Obi wrote
“I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.
“It is, therefore, deeply unfortunate to learn that shop owners are now being asked to pay N700,000 to reopen their stores.
“Already, over 7 million Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, MSME, have collapsed in the past two years in Nigeria. Our MSME’s businesses are at a we can’t breathe” stage, and the very system that should be offering them oxygen to support their breathing is instead suffocating them,” he said.
He accused the government of being insensitive and uncaring.
“Surely, I am standing in support of the authorities to ensure our society is free from fake drugs and counterfeit goods. I did so with the hope that investigations would be carried out swiftly, and the market would be reopened promptly, especially to ease the suffering of small business owners already burdened by our current national economic challenges.
“Compassion must lie at the root of government action,” he added.