October 14, 2024
Three days ago, governor of Anambra state, Charles Soludo, issued a stern warning to traders, threatening severe penalties for those who fail to open their shops and markets on Mondays.
On Monday 14, 2024 most traders in Anambra state, particularly in Onitsha, ignored the Governor’s directive to open markets on sit-at-home days.
In an interview with journalists, the traders expressed that the governor is asking them to risk their lives, while one challenged the governor, saying “Let him bring his children to the market.”
Governor Soludo’s announcement was aimed at reviving economic activities hitherto disrupted by the earlier Sit-at-home orders from Biafra agitators, particularly the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The directive, signed by the governor’s special adviser on trade and markets, Chief Evarist Uba, 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.
Though, this order has instilled fear among traders, many still avoid the markets on Monday due to concerns for their safety from hoodlums.
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Although the gate to the Main Market was opened, traders were hesitant to enter, and even the police officers assigned to monitor compliance were in plain clothes rather than uniforms.
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.
The state police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, could not be reached for explanations, but a senior police officer in the state, who wished to remain anonymous, informed journalists that residents 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 officer said
For some traders, the order by Soludo could aggravate the hoodlums who abound in Anambra state, one said: “What the Governor did was putting our lives at risk, he should have allowed us to continue managing the situation our way.
The governor’s announcement followed an inspection of the Main Market in Onitsha.
