Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has convened discussions aimed at addressing the surging living costs, vowing stringent measures against any market union implicated in exacerbating the inflationary pressures on essential commodities amidst the prevailing economic turmoil nationwide.
The governor articulated his commitment during a deliberative session convened in Benin City, the nerve center of Edo State, where he engaged representatives from diverse market associations.
Gathering at the Urhokpota Hall, stakeholders deliberated on strategies to stabilize prices of goods and services in Edo State, providing a platform for market unions to ventilate grievances regarding the escalating price indices.
Key concerns raised during the town hall assembly spanned from the exorbitant pricing of petroleum derivatives and transportation to grievances regarding the autocratic tendencies of market unions.
Prominent market figures, including Blacky Ogiame, the Market Women Leader in Edo State, vocalized apprehensions over the exorbitant rates of petroleum products, diesel, kerosene, and gas, lamenting the erosion of affordability.
Representatives from assorted unions, such as the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuff and Cattle Dealers Association and the Building Materials Sellers Association, underscored the coercive tactics employed by market unions to enforce price ceilings, with non-compliance attracting punitive measures.
Governor Godwin Obaseki, in his allocution, elucidated that while the state administration might not shoulder full culpability for all the issues delineated, market unions implicated in perpetuating these predicaments would face retributive measures.
He unveiled the formation of an investigative committee tasked with scrutinizing the operations of these unions and pledged legislative reforms to institute sanctions where warranted to curtail their excesses.
The Edo State government reasserted its unwavering commitment to mitigating the plight of its populace, assuring continued engagement with stakeholders until the inflationary pressures on goods and services are ameliorated.
