The Enugu State government has flagged off a rural market empowerment initiative tagged “SHOP LOCALLY “

According to Barrister Henry Nnanna Okeke, Special Adviser on Safety to the Enugu State governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the initiative is to encourage direct contribution to the local community.

Barrister Okeke stressed that “Your money is going straight into your village, town, suburb or city – helping it to thrive.

“Otherwise, you will most probably be supporting a giant chain or conglomerate, meaning your local businesses will suffer.”

The flag-off took place on Monday, July 5th, 2021 at Eke IHE Market, Awgu Local government.

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The Special Adviser explained that other local markets will follow suit as the aim is to ensure full community initiative to alleviate poverty and hunger in Enugu State.

“This is a Clarion Call for all stakeholders to Shop Local as a way of growing the local economy and businesses.

“We must make deliberate efforts to patronize our local markets to encourage agricultural and economic development in the rural areas.

“This is in line with the repeated instructions of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi that Local Government Chairmen, deputies, councilors, etc should reside in their council areas as a way of providing leadership and economic patronage.

“These important instructions have been disregarded, hence, I am using this initiative to appeal for compliance in the interest of our rural dwellers. The code is “SHOP LOCALLY,” Barrister Nnanna said.

Explaining further he noted that “Going to a big shopping mall to buy what should be bought from the local markets, especially agricultural produce, is not only unhealthy for the rural economy but also discouraging to local farmers.

“As leaders, we have a duty to encourage rural economic development through the philosophy of ‘Shopping Locally’.

“Choosing to spend locally allows money to be cycled back into your community, which means you are helping boost the local economy. This means opportunities for local businesses.

“Local Government administrations can develop or upgrade local markets as a constitutional responsibility to encourage Local Shopping and economic development.”

Barrister Nnanna, who is an indigen of IHE, Awgu Local Government Area was appreciated by the rural market women who received extra payment as the Special Assistant patronised many of them to kick start the programme.

Vanguard News Nigeria