The governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the immediate shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market and other adjacent markets for one week in the first instance in an effort to enforce the state’s strict ban on the controversial Monday sit-at-home order.
Read more about Anambra’s abolishes a sit-a-home, claims that errant workers may forfeit wages.
The market would be closed for another week and then for longer periods if traders didn’t start trading before the one-week shutdown ended.
“And let me tell you this: when I finish this, I’m speaking to you.” This entire main market and all of the nearby markets will remain closed throughout the week.
“Nowhere in this country will have a market.” Do you hear what I’m saying? We’ll come over on Monday to inspect. Soludo said in a statement to traders at the market on Monday that if people aren’t in their respective stores, they will shut them down once more.
I don’t mind closing Main Market for the remainder of this year if you like it. If you don’t like it, trade elsewhere. However, we won’t permit this if you’re here.
We also suspect that anyone who closes their shop has some criminal intent, he continued. “It’s plain economic sabotage.”
Despite government orders and warnings to disobey the sit-at-home order imposed by non-state actors, traders at the well-known Onitsha markets have repeatedly defied the government’s orders to open for business on Monday.
He argued that the closure was necessary to strengthen the state’s authority, send the appropriate signals, and protect law-abiding citizens.
He contends that the government cannot continue to watch as a select few people wilfully violate public safety and ignore official instructions intended to restore normalcy.
“Everywhere is open, even the ones I’m from are from Akwa.” Government offices are accessible. People are running their businesses because the markets are open. Then you’ll descend to West Africa’s Main Market, which was once regarded as the world’s largest market.
Anyone who hasn’t “opened” the main market, or any other market, will be shot down. I am aware of the sit-at-home culture that people have practiced on Mondays for a while, and according to legends, “anyabomination that lasts a year becomes culture.”
“No! In Anambra, this is no longer tolerated. Do you hear what I’m saying? You can either decide to trade here or choose to relocate elsewhere, as I’ll explain to you. Do you hear what I’m saying?
If you don’t want to open this main market, I’ll come in and level it with a bulldozer. Do you hear what I’m saying? And I take it very seriously. I’m not making fun of myself.
Any stores that aren’t open will be locked for a week, the governor continued.
Sit-At-Home “Order”
The Soludo administration has publicly condemned the order, which has been in place for about four years, and has severely impacted economic and social activity in the South-East.
The state government had urged residents to refrain from fear and refrain from engaging in illegal behavior, which it described as economic sabotage against the area.
Later, security personnel, including police and army personnel, were dispatched to secure compliance and seal the market gates.
A Monday sit-at-home has been a trend for parts of Anambra State for years, leaving businesses, schools, and workplaces deserted.
Non-state actors in the South-East have long criticized the practice because it forces traders, transport workers, and students to stay indoors, especially in cities like Onitsha, and it harms the state’s economy.
The shutdown has been a key focus of efforts led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
He announced an end to the sit-at-home in April 2022, promised a peace and reconciliation committee, and announced amnesty for youths hiding out.
Source: Channels TV
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