COVID-19: A'IBOM TRADERS ASSOCIATION SUSPENDS SALES OF TICKETS IN MARKETS

Considering the pivotal role played by the Traders in the Economic Ecosystem of our dear state and their inevitable contributions to the reduction process of the negative effect of the global ravaging pandemic, Covid-19 on the lives of our people, the Akwa Ibom State Traders Association of Nigeria, has ordered the immediate suspension of the sales of tickets in markets across the State.

In a statement issued on Friday 17th April, 2020 by the President of the Association, who doubles as the Special Assistant to the Governor on Traders Matters, Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael, directed Market Management Committees from across the state to cease forthwith, the sales of all form of tickets in their respective Markets as this will help ameliorate the impact of the discomfort and sufferings ocassioned by the 'fatal fangs of one of the most virulent pandemics in recent history - Covid-19'.

The President of the Association further hinted that the suspension is line with the disposition of the Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, who in his Easter message to the citizens and residents of the state made it emphatically clear that no citizen nor resident of the state should be subjected to any additional hardship within this period of pandemic because he will either directly or indirectly be affected as their leader. "As your Leader, I feel your pain. What affects you affects me and what affects me, affects you". Hence, no trader should be made to pay any ticket fee within this period of pandemic, as this will help reduce prize hike cum high cost of living during this trying times.

Akparawa Raphael called on all the Market Management Committee Members across the state to strictly adhere to the directive as whoever found guilty of levying any Trader within this period, will be made to face the full weight of the law, adding that adherence to this directive will contribute to a successful process of reactivation, rejigging and reacceleration of the state economy after the pandemic by the Economic Recovery Committee as set up by His Excellency, Mr Udom Gabriel Emmanuel.

Finally, the Gov's Aide used the medium to express his deepest gratitude to the Traders for their understanding, corporation and compliance to the Covid-19 restriction order given by the State Government for the past few weeks,  encouraging them to remain law abiding while ensuring that they observe social distancing, regular hand washing, frequent sanitizer application and other preventive and precautionary measures so as to stem the spread of the deadly virus