Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has
ordered the immediate shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market and adjoining markets
following traders’ continued refusal to open for business on Mondays.
The governor warned that the closure, which follows
the expiration of a one-week shutdown, could be extended indefinitely if
traders persist in observing the sit-at-home practice imposed by non-state
actors.
Addressing traders at the market on Monday, Soludo
said the government would no longer tolerate what he described as economic
sabotage.
“As I’m speaking to you now, when I finish, this whole
main market and all the adjoining markets will be locked down for the whole of
this week. There will be no market anywhere here,” he said.
He added that government officials would inspect the
market every Monday and any shop found closed would be shut down again.
“If you like, I don’t mind shutting down Main Market
for the remainder of this year. If you don’t like it, go elsewhere and trade.
But if you are here, we are not going to allow this,” Soludo warned.
The governor accused traders who keep their shops
closed of having possible criminal intent.
“It is plain economic sabotage, and we also suspect
that whoever closes their shop has some criminal intent,” he stated.
Soludo said the decision became necessary following
repeated defiance by traders despite government directives urging residents to
ignore the sit-at-home order and resume normal economic activities.
According to him, the state government cannot stand by
while a few individuals undermine public safety and defy official directives
aimed at restoring normalcy.
“I just came from Akwa; government offices are open,
markets are open, and people are going about their businesses. Then you come to
Main Market, once reputed as the largest market in West Africa, and it is shut
down,” he lamented.
Describing the prolonged sit-at-home as an
unacceptable norm, Soludo said:
“An abomination that lasts a year becomes culture. No!
This can no longer go on in Anambra.”
He further warned that any shop found closed going
forward would be locked for one week, stressing that the government was
prepared to take drastic measures to enforce compliance.
“If you don’t want this market open, I will come with
a bulldozer and level it. I am very serious. I am not joking,” he said.
Sit-At-Home Order
The Monday sit-at-home, which has lasted for nearly
four years, has severely disrupted economic and social activities across the
South-East, particularly in commercial centres like Onitsha.
The Soludo administration has consistently condemned
the practice, describing it as illegal and harmful to the region’s economy.
Residents have been urged to go about their lawful activities without fear.
In April 2022, Soludo officially declared the
sit-at-home over, announced amnesty for youths in hideouts, and established a
peace and reconciliation committee.
Although the governor has repeatedly stated that the
practice has largely faded and that Anambra is secure, some residents and
traders continue to stay home on Mondays out of fear.
Following the latest directive, security operatives,
including police and soldiers, were deployed to seal the market gates and
enforce compliance.
Comments:
Leave a Reply