By Kelechi Ugo

Owerri Building Material Traders Association (OBMTA, has elected new leadership that will steer its affairs in the next couple of years to advance success, unity and cooperation.

The election which was adjudged to be free and fair, was held on 26th January, 2024, at Pastoral Centre, Owerri, with security personnel, ISAMATA and other concerned bodies being on the ground to monitoring the election and guiding the venue against irregularity or uprising.

Thus, Open-Secret-Ballot system was adopted in the conduct of the union election, just as voters were delegated.

Many positions were contested for in the election with Comrade Okonkwo Anthony popularly called "Tonec" emerging President of Owerri Building Material Traders Association. He polled 334 votes to defeat his opponent, Comrade Syracuse Onwuamaegbu, who scored 175 votes.

Speaking with journalists after being declared winner by the Electoral Committee, Comrade. Okonkwo Anthony, promised members that he is going to lead them well by being truthful, diligent, active, tolerant, accountable, transparent,  orderly and godly in order to strengthen unity, love, cooperation and success in OBMTA.

The President assured that he and the entire executive officers of the OBMTA are going to reach out to government and other concerned authorities to completely fix the Naze Owerri Timber Market Road which he regretted has been a nightmare for traders, marketers, residents and other users of the link road,

Okonkwo, who said he would not disappoint the association, thanked members, ISAMATA and others for the success of the election.

Describing the OBMTA election as wonderful, free and fair, the immediate past Special Adviser to Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma and President, Imo State Amalgamated Markets and Traders Association (ISAMATA),Hon. Emmanuel Ezeanochie(Chenco) urged traders in the State to continue to cooperate, remain united, shun inimical activities, do businesses with human face to progress and extensively add to the peace, economic growth and development of the society.

The ISAMATA President, while congratulating Comr. Okonkwo Anthony for emerging as OBMTA President, advised him to remain the good man and a friend of the people he is, appealing to members, including losers and winners, to always join hands to move the association forward.