NUMTEN urges Governor Okpebholo to intervene in market trader harassment

Olumide Michael

National Union of Market Traders Employers of Nigeria (NUMTEN), Edo State Chapter, has written an open letter to Governor Monday Okpebholo, seeking his intervention in the harassment and extortion of market traders by local government agents.

The union claimed that the governor’s ban on various market associations has been misinterpreted, leading to the victimization of NUMTEN members.

According to the Chairman of NUMTEN Edo State Chapter, Comrade Osagie Godwin, the union was established in April 2024 under the Trade Union Act to bring order and safety to markets across Nigeria.

However, despite their efforts to address the issue through letters to the Edo State Head of Service, they have yet to receive a response.

The ban on market associations has been misinterpreted to include NUMTEN, leading to harassment and extortion of its members.

Despite several letters to the Edo State Head of Service, NUMTEN has not received any response to their concerns.

NUMTEN is seeking a meeting with Governor Okpebholo, the Edo State NLC, and relevant labour offices to resolve the pressing concerns.

The union is seeking Governor Okpebholo’s urgent intervention, citing his commitment to protecting the rights of Edo State workers and upholding the Constitution.

They believed that a meeting with relevant stakeholders would help resolve the issues and bring relief to market traders who are facing extortion and harassment.