By Vincent Obi
Abakaliki, June 7, 2024 – Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has inaugurated a 23-man new State Executive of Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) in the state.
Nwifuru inaugurated the executive on Thursday, during the Association’s first executive stakeholders’ meeting in Abakaliki.
He charged them on transparency and accountability for the collection of quality data of all members.
The newly-elected exco, made up of 10 members from state level and 13 from the local governments, is headed by Mr Godwin Okpoto.
The governor, represented by Prof Nwogo Obasi, Commissioner for Market Development and Park, urged the group to take charge of the operation through collaboration with partners to achieve set goals.
He laudable the programme and expressed readiness of the state government to support the group to succeed.
He charged them to be transparent and thorough in the collection of quality data which the state and federal governments will rely on in carrying out equitable distribution of its plans to the informal sector.
In his remarks, Okpoto promised that the association would abide by the rules and regulation guiding the market to achieve the needed results.
MATAN as an umbrella body for all trading associations in the country.
According to Okpoto, the project initiated by the federal government, is aimed at enhancing the living standards of people in the informal sector, rural dwellers and others involved in goods and services.
He promised that the project will accommodate everyone, adding that Incentives that will pass through MATAN will reach the grassroots with records that will show inputs, palliatives, grants, loan and others is given to number of people.
“We will not default and disappoint the group,” Okpoto said.
