In spite of the Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s stern warning to sanction traders who do not open their shops on Mondays, the traders in the state, particularly in Onitsha, have largely ignored the governor’s directive to open markets on sit-at-home days.
It was learnt that the gate to the Main Market was opened, but traders were hesitant to enter, and even the police officers assigned to monitor compliance were in plain clothes rather than uniforms.
Traders, however, expressed that the governor is asking them to risk their lives, with one stating, “Let him bring his children to the market.”
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Recall that three days ago, Soludo issued a stern warning to traders, threatening severe penalties for those who fail to open their shops and markets on Mondays.
This initiative aims to revive economic activities disrupted by the earlier orders from Biafra agitators, particularly the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The directive, signed by Chief Evarist Uba, the governor’s special adviser on trade and markets, outlined that shops or markets that remain closed would initially face a one-week closure, escalating to one month for continued non-compliance, and potentially indefinite sealing with further sanctions if the situation does not change.
The governor’s announcement followed an inspection of the Main Market in Onitsha.
However, this order has instilled fear among traders, leading many to avoid the markets on Monday due to concerns for their safety from hoodlums.
Despite the order being communicated to the President General of the Anambra State Market Traders Association (ASMATA), all market chairmen, and the Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, traders still opted to stay away.
Not only were the markets inactive, but many surrounding shops also remained closed.
Although the state police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be contacted to confirm the story, but a senior police officer in the state, who wished to remain anonymous, informed The Nation that residents continue to feel unsafe.
“The commissioner of police, Obono Itam, deployed enough security to different markets and on patrol too. You know, it’s a gradual process.
“It will take some time for things to return as they used to be in Igbo land, but we will continue doing our best to protect the lives and property of the people,” the source said
Meanwhile, some of the traders expressed concerns that the order by Soludo could aggravate the hoodlums who had taken over proceedings in Anambra state.
“What the Governor did was putting our lives at risk. He should have allowed us to continue managing the situation our way.
“Now, that he’s done that, he should bring his children, and family members to go and stay in those markets,” the traders said.