Abia State Ministry of Trade and Commerce has suspended the Chairman of Ariaria International Market, Aba, Mr. Michael Aniorji, from office with immediate effect.

The suspension is coming four days after a faction of traders’ group, allegedly backed by Aniorji, protested at the Aba North LGA headquarters, Eziama, concerning alleged activities of a private shop developer against them.

But a statement by the Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Kingsley Nwokocha, appointed Mr. Hyacinth Nnabude as the acting Chairman of the market, following Aniorji’s suspension.

He informed the general public, especially traders of Ariaria Market, about the development, saying that Nnabude, who would be acting as the Chairman, would oversee all market affairs.

The Commissioner, who did not give any reason for Aniorji’s suspension, advised all unions, associations, and stakeholders to cooperate fully with the acting Chairman in the overall interest of the market and Abia State.

DAILY POST recalls that another group of traders, led by Hyacinth Nnabude, had on August 23 pledged their total support to Abia State Government’s plans to remodel the Ariaria Market, saying that many shops in the present market were suffering from leaking roofs, flooding crises, and other structural defects.

They also exonerated a private developer, Chekbest International Limited, of plans to strip the traders of their shops.

Abia government suspends Ariaria Market Chairman, appoints acting leader