A group, under the aegis of Anambra State Livelihoods Association, has decried the poor attention they have received over the years in specific areas, which affected their sources of income and earnings, from those in authority, and vowed that this will determine their voting pattern in the general elections in the state.

The association is made up of over 5,000 artisans, farmers, operators in the transport sector, and traders. Rising from their meeting on the elections, held in Awka, yesterday, Spokesman of Urban Drivers Welfare Association, Ifeanyi Ogbonna, made the resolution of the group known to journalists, condemning the poor attention given to providing training support to enhance their skills, lack of grants and soft loans to increase their operational capital, as well as lack of equipment to enhance their operations.

Ogbonna also noted that lack of feeder roads to farms, zonal markets for sale of agricultural commodities, among others, have affected farmers, adversely.
He explained that the meeting was to help review challenges they faced in their livelihoods, and the manner of attention they received from stakeholders, including governments and politicians.

“Lack of good roads and storage facilities lead to damage of agricultural commodities, which could not be moved to areas where they are needed in the state. They now have to move their commodities through rivers to other states with boats to sell them, often at ridiculous prices.

“The level of attention members have received in addressing their challenges would determine how they will be casting their votes in the coming elections. We have vowed to push for proper attention from those who have the responsibility to give support to overcome these challenges.”