The Anambra State Government has intensified its enforcement of the directive to end the Monday sit-at-home by sealing multiple shops in Onitsha and surrounding areas for failing to open for business.
JomogNews gathered that most of the sealed shops were at the Building Materials Market, Ogidi, where traders did not open for business on Monday.
The state government, however, commended many traders who came to the market that day, especially those at the Electrical Parts Dealers Market, Obosi.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Markets, Evarist Uba, undertook a routine monitoring exercise to assess the level of compliance with the state government’s directive for markets to open on Mondays.
During the tour, Uba reported that a substantial number of shops at the Electrical Parts Dealers Market, Obosi, were open for business on Monday, marking a notable departure from the prolonged weekly lockdowns that have stifled economic activities across the state.
He said, “The Obosi Electrical Parts Market is a key hub for electrical components in the Southeast, and I’m happy to see a significant level of activity.
“The government is intentionally building a state that embraces productivity. The government of Anambra State, under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, is highly impressed by the courage and patriotism displayed by the electrical parts dealers in Obosi, as 80 percent of the market is open.
“Their decision to open their shops is a clear testament to their faith in the government’s efforts to restore peace and their commitment to the economic prosperity of the state.”
At the Building Materials Market, Ogidi, some shops that were under lock and key were sealed by the state government. The Special Adviser commended those who complied and warned that the sealed shops would remain closed for two weeks.
Leaders of the markets who spoke during the tour expressed their support for the government’s stance.
The Chairman of the Electrical Parts Dealers Association, Obosi, Chike Onunkwo, and Chief Jude Nwankwo, President of the International Building Materials Market, Ogidi, praised the enhanced security provided by the state.
They pointed out that the government has shown commitment and, as such, traders must play their part in rebuilding the state economy.
The monitoring committee comprised the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi (rtd); and the Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime.
The team also visited other major markets in Nnewi and Onitsha, among others, to monitor compliance with the government’s directive.
