The Anambra State Government has again sealed shops belonging to traders who failed to open for business on Monday in parts of Onitsha and its surrounding areas, as it continues enforcement of its directive against the weekly sit-at-home practice.
The affected shops were largely located at the Building Materials Market in Ogidi, where many traders reportedly stayed away from work on Monday. However, the state government commended traders in other markets who defied the sit-at-home and carried out their normal business activities, particularly at the Electrical Parts Dealers Market in Obosi.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Markets, Evarist Uba, carried out a routine monitoring exercise across major markets to assess compliance with the government’s directive that markets must open on Mondays. During the inspection, he observed a significant level of activity at the Electrical Parts Dealers Market, Obosi, describing it as a positive shift from the prolonged Monday shutdowns that have negatively impacted economic activities in the state.
Uba said the Obosi Electrical Parts Market remains a major hub for electrical components in the Southeast and expressed satisfaction with the turnout of traders. He noted that about 80 percent of the shops in the market were open, describing the action as a show of courage, patriotism, and confidence in the government’s efforts to restore peace and stability under the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
At the Building Materials Market in Ogidi, the monitoring team sealed shops that remained closed, warning that the affected shops would stay sealed for two weeks. Traders who complied with the directive were commended.
Market leaders who addressed the team expressed support for the government’s position. The Chairman of the Electrical Parts Dealers Association, Obosi, Chike Onunkwo, and the President of the International Building Materials Market, Ogidi, Chief Jude Nwankwo, praised the improved security situation and urged traders to support the government’s efforts by resuming normal business activities.
The monitoring committee included the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor; the Special Adviser on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi (rtd); and the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime. The team also visited major markets in Nnewi and Onitsha to further assess compliance.
