The Anambra State Government has extended its crackdown on Monday sit-at-home, ordering traders in 12 additional major markets to resume full business activities on Mondays or face temporary closure according to a Vanguard news report.
This follows the one-week shutdown of Onitsha Main Market earlier this week for defying the directive.
In a circular signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, the government listed the newly affected markets. They include Ochanja Central Market, Bridgehead Market, Ogbaru Main Market, Building Materials Market Ogidi, Agba-Edo Auto Spare Parts Market Nnewi, and various motor parts and main markets in Nnewi, Nkpor, and Obosi.
The circular, titled “Abolishment of Monday Sit-at-Home,” was addressed to leaders of markets under the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association. It warns that government monitoring teams will conduct random inspections, and any market found non-compliant will be shut down for one month.
“Any shop that is not open will be sealed by government officials, and the occupant may face legal action,” the directive stated.
Meanwhile, Governor Charles Soludo has scheduled a meeting with market leaders for Thursday, January 29, at the International Convention Centre in Awka to discuss the sit-at-home policy. The government clarified that the meeting was requested by some market leaders appealing for the reopening of Onitsha Main Market, not in response to Tuesday’s protest.
A government source indicated that security will be heightened at the venue to prevent disruptions as the state intensifies efforts to restore normal economic activity.
