Stakeholders of Ogbaru Main Market (Relief) in Onitsha have resolved to seal shops that fail to open for business on Mondays, declaring that the era of the Monday sit-at-home in the market is over.
The President of the Ogbaru Main Market Traders Association, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, disclosed this to journalists shortly after an enlarged meeting of stakeholders and chairmen of all market lines.
Ochiogu said traders have been advised to open their shops on Mondays to avoid sanctions, stressing that insecurity is no longer a valid excuse for absence from the market. He assured that adequate security arrangements have been put in place to guarantee the safety of traders and customers.
“We deal in provisions, beverages and other consumables, and customers come from Onitsha, Ogidi, Nkpor, Obosi and surrounding areas to patronise us on Mondays. I must confess that we have at least 20 percent patronage on Mondays due to the absence of customers from outside Anambra State. The idea is to make them understand that there is no more fear in opening our shops and markets on Mondays henceforth,” Ochiogu said.
On security measures, Ochiogu noted that the proximity of Okpoko Police Station to the market has strengthened safety efforts. He added that personnel from Operation Udo Ga Achi security outfit, the OCHA Brigade, the State Anti-Touting Squad (SASA), and market vigilante operatives have been deployed around the market environment on Mondays.
“Security of our lives, goods and that of our customers is 100 percent guaranteed,” he said.
The move is part of efforts by market leaders to restore full commercial activities and reassure traders and buyers of safety in the area following the fading of the Monday sit-at-home order previously enforced by separatist groups.
