Gov Soludo directs 12 more markets to open on Mondays, warns of closure for defiance

The Anambra State Government has directed traders in 12 additional markets across the state to resume full business activities on Mondays, warning that failure to comply could attract temporary market closures.

The directive comes barely a day after the government shut Onitsha Main Market for one week over traders’ continued refusal to open for business on Mondays, a practice the state described as economically disruptive.

The affected markets include Ochanja Central Market, Bridgehead Market, Ogbaru Main Market, Building Materials Market, Ogidi; Agba-Edo Auto Spare Parts Market, Nnewi; New Auto and Motorcycle Spare Parts Market, Nnewi; Fairly Used Motorcycle Spare Parts Market, Nnewi; New Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkpor; Nkpor Main Market; Old Mercedes Benz Spare Parts Dealers Market, Nkpor; Old Motor Spare Parts Market, Obosi; and Electrical Dealers International Market, Obosi.

The directive was contained in a circular titled “Abolishment of Monday Sit-at-Home,” signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, and addressed to market leaders under the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA).

Market chairmen were instructed to immediately notify traders to resume business on Mondays in line with Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo’s executive order aimed at restoring full economic activities across the state.

The government warned that compliance would be strictly monitored through random inspections by enforcement teams.

“Any shop that is not open will be sealed by government officials, and the occupant may face legal action. Any market found not complying will be closed for one month,” the circular stated.

Meanwhile, Governor Soludo has scheduled a meeting with market leaders across the state for Thursday, January 29, at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Awka.

The meeting will involve market chairmen, secretaries, zonal leaders and line chairpersons, and is expected to focus on the Monday sit-at-home policy and market operations.

The state government clarified that the meeting was convened at the request of some market leaders who appealed for the reopening of Onitsha Main Market, and not as a reaction to the protest staged by traders on Tuesday.

A government source disclosed that security would be heightened at the venue to prevent any disruption during the meeting.