Gov. Dave Umahi made the promise on Friday in Abakaliki at the formal presentation of the report of the seven-man committee, set up by the government to look into the crisis in the market.
Umahi who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Internal Security, Dr Kenneth Ugbala, described the main market as very ‘strategic’ to the socio-economic development of the state.
Umahi said that government would study thoroughly the committee’s report in order to be properly guided in the implementation of all its recommendations.
“I want to commend you on behalf of the state government for a job well done and to assure you that this report will be looked into with a view to finding a way of solving the problem once and for all.
“The main market is very strategic in the socio-economic development of the state, and as a responsible government, we will not sit back and watch the crisis to get out of hand.
“We will study this report line by line to ensure that our resolution will not only bring lasting peace but also that which will be embraced by all the parties in the dispute.
“We want to commend you for the energy, time and commitment you put in the discharge of the assignment, ” Umahi said.
Earlier, Chairman of the committee, Chief Kevin Ofeke, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, said that the committee received memoranda from interested members of the market association, conducted interviews and visited relevant government institutions.
He commended the state government for finding members of the committee worthy for the assignment and expressed optimism that the report and recommendations made would lead to enthronement of enduring peace in the market.
“This committee was inaugurated following petitions from stakeholders of the Abakpa Main Market Association on the leadership crisis threatening the peace and security of lives and property of traders in the market.
“The committee wasted no time in swinging into action. We received written and oral memoranda from interested members of the market and also visited relevant government institutions with useful information on the crisis.
“We believe that the recommendations in the report if implemented, will assist the government in bringing lasting peace in the market and forestall any further occurrence of leadership crisis, ” Ofeke said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the leadership crisis began following failure of Mr Emeka Nwomeh, the incumbent chairman, to organise election after the expiration of his tenure on May 27, 2016.
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