From Adann Nnamani, Abuja
The National Union of Market Traders Employers of Nigeria (NUMTEN) has pledged to fight against challenges faced by market traders, including an unconducive trading environment, unrealistic business profits, unstable market prices, and frequent property losses due to fire outbreaks.
The union made this commitment while receiving its certificate of registration from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday in Abuja.
NUMTEN President James Chukwuma stated that the union will serve as a platform to protect traders from exploitation and victimisation by unscrupulous individuals masquerading as government officials. He lamented the loss of government revenue due to illegitimate market traders and emphasised the union’s commitment to restructuring and reorganising the Nigerian market to achieve global competitiveness.
“The idea to establish NUMTEN was conceived in my heart as a market trader for over a decade,” Chukwuma explained. “With the support of like-minded individuals, we have brought this idea to fruition after witnessing the intimidation and extortion faced by helpless market traders at the hands of illegal market associations. These unlawful acts have caused grievous harm, with people losing their lives daily.”
He further highlighted the union’s mission to address various challenges, including: Non-conducive trading environment; Unrealistic business profits; Unstable market prices; Frequent property losses due to fire outbreaks caused by low-quality building materials and negligence.
“NUMTEN is a symbol of hope,” Chukwuma declared. “We will recover government revenue siphoned by illegitimate individuals and associations operating in Nigerian markets. We will ensure that the right revenue reaches the government’s coffers, and our members’ labour will no longer be in vain.”
NUMTEN pledged to collaborate with other sister unions and government agencies to transform Nigeria from a consumer nation into an industrialised nation producing high-quality finished goods for consumption by other nations worldwide.