Ethnic, Tribal Traders’ Associations Banned In Bayelsa Markets
All associations of tribal and ethnic traders that operate in Swail and other state markets have been outlawed by the Bayelsa State Government.
In order to enforce the order, the State Commissioner of Police has been instructed to arrest any individual or group of individuals who continue to represent themselves at the various markets as members of these associations.
The Deputy Governor warned during the meeting, which was also attended by many Swali Market traders, that the government would take decisive action against anyone who disobeys the state’s ban on associations of traders based on ethnic groups.
He gave the Nigeria Police and other security forces instructions to keep an eye on, detain, and prosecute any individual or group of traders who disobey the government’s prohibition order.
In addition to harshly criticizing the State Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Investment for its lack of effective leadership, Senator Ewhrudjakpo noted that the prolonged crisis among Swali market traders was a result of the Ministry’s compromise, incompetence, and failure.
The Deputy Governor, however, clarified that going forward, traders association would only be allowed to exist in the markets strictly on the basis of the kind of goods or products traders deal on.
He said government would set up another committee to set and define the guidelines, requirements and qualifications to be met by those interested in holding any leadership positions in the popular Swali Market Traders Association.
His words: “I think what is happening at the Swali Market is a failure from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment. It is because of the compromise of the leadership of the Ministry, with due respect to them, that is why they have this problem.
“So I think it is an issue of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment not being able to provide leadership, either as a result of leadership ineptitude or compromised leadership that takes sides. There are a lot of reports of compromise about the Ministry.
“The Honourable Commissioner for Information will make the formal announcement: All tribal traders associations in that market is hereby banned – no Isoko traders association; no Urhobo traders association; no Igbo traders association, and no Ijaw traders association, and others not mentioned here.
“All such existing tribal associations are hereby banned in all our markets across the state. None should exist. The Commissioner of Police and other law enforcement agencies of government are hereby directed to arrest anyone or group parading themselves as such.
“If anybody goes there and start to say I am the chairman of Igbo Traders Association, Swali branch, government would take on you. That is not recognized by us. All those association are banned and they remain banned.”
The chairman of the Swali Market Conflict Resolution Committee, Chief Boma Spero-Jack, presented the report and noted that the crisis was caused by the unhealthy politicization of the traders’ association and excessive ambition by different interests to control the money made at the Swali Market.
The Committee’s recommendation for a legislative solution would end the market’s ongoing leadership issue, Dr. Spero-Jack explained.
In order to properly regulate the markets, the Committee also suggested the establishment of a market regulatory council and an alternative dispute resolution body.
Other top government functionaries present at the meeting include the Chief of Staff, Dr Peter Akpe; the Deputy Chief of Staff Government House, Deputy Governor’s Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, and the Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment represented by the Director of Markets, Mrs. Mildred Francis Igele. The Commissioner of Police, the State Director of the Department of State Services, and the Deputy State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were also part of the meeting.
