…as AMATA keys into new Abia cleanliness initiative 

The Chairman of the Ariaria International Market, Aba, Sir Hyacinth Nnabude, has said that the 2027 governorship election in Abia State will definitely result in a high-margin victory for Governor Alex Otti against whatever opponents choose to compete.

Nnabude, while speaking to journalists on Saturday, said that with the governor’s wonderful leadership, which the majority of traders in Aba are currently feeling, they will reciprocate by massively voting for him like never before or anyone in the history of the state.

According to him, Ariaria Ward-9, which is the largest political ward in the South East, will make a big statement to prove to everyone that good governance has its own rewards and has nothing to do with political sycophancy and unnecessary politicking.

Nnabude, however, charged all traders and other people that make their daily living within Ariaria International Market, including Okada (motorcycle) riders, truck pushers, wheelbarrow pushers and even load carriers (jobmen), to, as a matter of urgency, get involved in the extended continuous voter registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“I’ve been making the announcement within the market since I became chairman using our local means of communication, and it’s paying huge dividends because a lot of people have registered. In fact, most of the traders are ready.

“Our major target now is to ensure that the Okada riders, truck pushers, wheelbarrow pushers and load carriers are captured because the majority of them don’t have PVCs.

“Hence, if these ones are captured, Ariaria International Market will be fully ready to reciprocate the good gesture of Governor Alex Otti.

“So, the process begins again this week, and we’re not leaving any stone unturned.”

Nnabude, in another good development, presented to journalists the two newly acquired tricycle pickups for proper refuse disposal within the market by the Ariaria Market Traders Association (AMATA), a move he said is in line with the cleanliness policy of the new Abia.

Aside from the two tricycle pickups, he equally presented 95 refuse disposal buckets, meant to be distributed around the 95 zones of the Ariaria International Market for the proper collection of refuse during market hours by servicemen in charge of the tricycle pickups.

“I always ensure Ariaria is peaceful and clean. We’ve bought two tricycle pickups for proper refuse disposal. We’ve also bought 95 refuse disposal buckets to help checkmate indiscriminate refuse disposal into the drainage system.

“The procedure is that whenever the bucket is filled up, the zone will place it where the Ariaria Market Traders Association (AMATA) servicemen will see it and pick it up for evacuation into the government-provided receptacle.

“Governor Alex Otti cannot be preaching cleanliness, and we traders that ought to key into what he’s doing to make our market more attractive to customers will be left behind. Everyone in Abia is getting attracted and positively affected by good governance, and here in Ariaria International Market, we’ve decided to complement his efforts already.

“Go around all the major roads linking this market; you’ll see government receptacles everywhere just making sure the market is clean. So, we on our own have decided to extend it to zones and their lines so that all refuse from such places will not be a reason to undermine the good efforts of His Excellency here.”

The market chairman also showed journalists a health centre that is almost at its completion stage, which he has already donated to the market to help take care of minor issues around the market at an affordable rate and, at some point, for free for some issues.

According to him, “On a personal note, I’ve built a health centre close to my plaza here which I’ve named Chioma Specialist Health Centre to help take care of some minor issues for traders and others in this Ariaria Ward 9.”

Nnabude, who has been in the office for nine months, also told journalists that “AMATA Rentals”, a rental service company owned by the Ariaria International Market traders, has been thrown open to support Governor Alex Otti’s campaign with 20 canopies, chairs and tables anywhere he’s having campaign-related activities in Aba and its environs.

“We’ve equally made a deposit for a delivery van and bought chairs, tables and canopies called AMATA rentals to help support all the campaigns our governor will do around here.

“Yes, we can be using it to generate internal revenue for the association, but as far as Governor Alex Otti is concerned, whenever he’s having any gathering in Aba and its environs and we’re informed of it, we’ll move out AMATA rentals with over 20 canopies, chairs, and tables to support him.

“This governor has shown all of us that he’s a man who has our interest at heart, and we’ll never fail to reciprocate such a kind gesture with whatever we feel we can offer. We cannot give him gold and silver, but we’ll support him to complete his good works in this state.”