The business community was cautioned to shun from cutthroat competition considered to be one of the highest causes of insecurity in the market. In addition, the President of the Wouri Retailers Trade Union, Maguedjio Alice, told the business people that a dirty environment, as it is indeed a problem in the market – the largest in Central Africa – is nonetheless conducive for a fire disaster and a time bomb that must be dislodged. She said the presence of a police station with just four security officers offers a minimum security that is yet to befit the market which is said to be hosting 1,300 traders. Traders were advised to take part in vigilance of their business environment, dislodge or report any threats of a disaster. Meanwhile, the market seems to have been plunged into further insecurity following three days of blackout. “Eighty per cent of the market is suffering from power cut; we can’t sell anymore but we risk further damages to our goods especially perishable goods,” says a trader. Trade union leaders blamed faulty connections and the reluctance of the company which subcontracted such services from AES-Sonel. By noon yesterday technicians who had been passing by were still to trace out the problem.
Other staff of the trade union briefed them on the disposition of the 2012 Finance Law, encouraged tax payment and compliance with other regulations of the market. Also, officials of the Cameroon Chamber of Commerce, among them the Assistant Director in charge of Missions and Public Relations, Ekoka née Sidiki Patrice-Adèle, used the opportunity to sensitise the business people CCIMA elections billed for January 17. Business people in the Littoral will present 13 out of the 46 who will represent them in CCIMA. The 30,042 votes in the littoral repartitioned as follows: 3,352 for crafts, 13,191 for trade, 2,744 for industry, mines and construction works, and 10,755 for services, will cover 31 per cent of the election.
