The Anambra State Government has ordered traders in 12 additional markets across the state to resume full business activities on Mondays, warning that failure to comply could lead to temporary closure of affected markets.
The directive comes days after the state government shut down the Onitsha Main Market for one week over traders’ continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home, a practice the government says is undermining economic growth.
The newly listed 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, titled “Abolishment of Monday Sit-at-Home,” was conveyed in a circular signed by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, and addressed to leaders of markets operating under the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA).
Market chairmen were instructed to ensure that traders open their shops on Mondays in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s executive order to restore normal commercial activities. The circular warned that government monitoring teams would carry out random inspections, with sanctions awaiting defaulters.
“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 is scheduled to meet with market leaders on Thursday, January 29, at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Awka. The meeting will involve chairmen, secretaries, zonal leaders and line chairpersons from markets across the state to further discuss the Monday trading policy and related market concerns.
The state government clarified that the meeting was initiated following appeals from some market leaders seeking the reopening of Onitsha Main Market, and not as a response to Tuesday’s protest by traders.
A government source disclosed that security will be reinforced at the venue to prevent any form of disruption during the meeting.
