Alex Otti
Otti reopens market closed due to crisis, appoints sole administrator
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has ordered the reopening of the crisis-ridden Umuehilegbu Industrial Market which had been closed to commercial activities, owing to leadership crisis.
Otti’s directive followed his appointment of Mr. Timothy Iheke Kalu as the Sole Administrator of the market.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kazie Uko, brough this development to light in a statement he issued on Friday, June 2, 2023.
Uke explained that Kalu would hold office for three months within which he is expected to resolve the issues that plunged the market into crisis and also install a democratically elected leadership for the market.
The statement read: “The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved the appointment of Mr Timothy Iheke Kalu as the Sole Administrator of Umuehilegbu Industrial Market in Osisioma Local Government Area. The appointment takes immediate effect.
“Following the appointment, the Governor has subsequently ordered the reopening of the market, which had been closed to commercial activities, owing to leadership crisis.
“Mr. Kalu is to hold office for three months within which period he would work with the various unions in the market to resolve all the issues that led to the closure of the market and a leadership properly instituted to enable the market function seamlessly.”
