ITAM Traders Commend Udom For N2bn Loan

The Etaha Itam Market All Traders Development Association has appreciated the Governor Udom Emmanuel on his developmental strides and for keeping his promises to traders in Akwa Ibom State.

They also said that the interest N2bn interest free loan was a great indication that Governor Emmanuel was committed to improving trade and commercial activities in the state.

They stated this during a reception in honour of one of their own, Mr Idorenyin Raphael, who was recently appointed Special Assistant to the Governor on Trade and Market Matters.

The traders recalled that when the Governor visited the market during his electioneering campaigns, he had promised to give them interest-free loans for their business, a vehicle for their association and to appoint one of them as his Special Assistant on matters relating to traders and markets and they expressed appreciation to the Governor for fulfilling all the promises he made to them.

The Special Guest of Honour at the occasion and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akan Okon, acknowledged the support of the traders to the current administration, noting that the appointment of a Special Assistant on Traders Matters is a reward for that support.

He restated the commitment of the Governor to the development of the state and the sustainable empowerment of the citizens, including the traders.

Mr Okon outlined the various business enhancement schemes of the present administration, including the interest free loans being given to traders and solicited their continuous support to the Government of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

In his remarks, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Trade and Market Matters, Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael, thanked the Almighty God for his elevation and expressed his profound gratitude to governor Udom Emmanuel for the love he has for the traders operating in the state, which is evident in the various positives gestures he has shown to the traders.

He announced to the traders, that the Governor has approved that Thursdays be declared as a ticket-free day in all markets across the state. He pledged the continuous and overwhelming support of the traders in the state to the administration of Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Also speaking, The Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Relations, Mr. Raphael Edem, thanked the Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel for the appointment, noting that it is unprecedented in the history of the state and that it is a testimony to the Governor’s appreciation of the critical role played by traders in the economy of the state.

Mr. Edem, who is an indigene of the community hosting the market, congratulated Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael on his appointment and urged the traders to give him the support necessary for him to succeed in his assignment.

Goodwill messages were received from the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Iniobong Essien, the chairman of Itu LGA Transition Committee, Mrs. Elsie Esara, The President, Conference of Akwa Ibom State Traders, Obong Christopher Usoro and the Leader of the market women in the state, Mrs. Magdalene Udom.

The reception, which was took place at the Itam main market, was attended by Special Assistants to the Governor, Ntufam Elijah Udoiyak and Sampson Idiong, leaders of the different market groups in the state, youth and women leaders and hundreds of traders and market women who sang and danced over the appointment.

Media Directorate
Akwa Ibom State Divine Mandate
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