Traders at the Onitsha Main Market have vowed to discontinue compliance with the Monday sit-at-home order, assuring the Anambra State Government of their readiness to resume full business activities in line with official directives.
The assurance was given on Thursday during an interactive meeting between Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and market leaders from across the state. The engagement followed the recent closure of the Onitsha Main Market and the prolonged Monday shutdown, which has significantly disrupted commercial activities across the South-East.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Mr. Chijioke Okpalugo, said traders were prepared to reopen for business on Mondays in support of the governor’s “One Anambra” vision. However, he appealed for improved and sustained security measures to guarantee the safety of traders, customers, and property.
In his remarks, Governor Soludo reiterated that all markets and shops in Anambra State must remain open on every working day, including Mondays, declaring that the era of sit-at-home-induced closures was over. He stressed that economic activities must not be held hostage by fear or intimidation.
Addressing the future of the Onitsha Main Market, the governor presented traders with a “renovate or rebuild” option, offering either a complete redevelopment into a modern trading complex or a comprehensive overhaul of existing structures. He emphasized that business activities must continue regardless of the option adopted.
Soludo dismissed claims linking the sit-at-home enforcement to the agitation for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, stating that the IPOB leader does not support the order. He further alleged that many of those enforcing the sit-at-home were not indigenes of Anambra State and warned that the government would deploy decisive measures against defaulters.
In response, traders called for a visible security presence in markets, full operation of motor parks, and firm action against those benefiting from the sit-at-home. The governor assured them of a security overhaul around commercial centres, pledging that Anambra’s markets would be protected from harassment and intimidation.
