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November 24, (THEWILL) – The Bayelsa State Government has outlawed all tribal and ethnic-based traders’ associations operating in Swali and other markets across the state.
The directive, issued by the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, mandates the State Commissioner of Police to enforce the ban by arresting any individuals or groups found parading themselves as members of such associations.
The decision followed a report submitted by the Swali Market Conflict Resolution Committee during a meeting at Government House, Yenagoa, attended by the Deputy Governor and a large number of traders from Swali Market.
Ewhrudjakpo warned that the government would deal decisively with anyone violating the prohibition, directing the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to monitor and prosecute offenders.
He criticised the State Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Investment for failing to provide effective leadership, describing the ongoing crisis among traders in Swali Market as a result of compromise and ineptitude within the Ministry.
“Going forward, traders’ associations will only be allowed to exist based on the type of goods or products they deal in,” he stated.
He added that a new committee would be established to define guidelines and qualifications for leadership roles in the Swali Market Traders Association.
Ewhrudjakpo announced the outright ban of all tribal traders’ associations, including the Isoko, Urhobo, Igbo, and Ijaw groups, emphasising that such organisations would no longer be recognized in any market within the state.
He said, “The Honourable Commissioner for Information will make the formal announcement: All tribal traders’ associations in that market are hereby banned—no Isoko Traders Association, no Urhobo Traders Association, no Igbo Traders Association, no Ijaw Traders Association, or any other.
“If anybody goes there and starts saying, ‘I am the chairman of Igbo Traders Association, Swali branch,’ the government will take action. All such associations are banned and remain banned.”
Presenting the report, Chief Boma Spero-Jack, Chairman of the Swali Market Conflict Resolution Committee, attributed the protracted leadership crisis to unhealthy politicisation of traders’ associations and competing interests seeking to control the market’s revenue.
The committee recommended legislative solutions to address the recurring leadership challenges, as well as the establishment of a market regulatory council and an alternative conflict resolution body to oversee market affairs.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
