By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Traders in different markets across Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State, on Monday, October 14, refused to go out for business or open their shops, in strict observance of the Mondays sit-at-home that has almost become a ritual in different parts of the Southeastern Nigeria.
This is coming despite the warning recently issued by Governor Chukwuma Soludo last week Monday when he visited the Onitsha Main Market to inspect the level of commercial activities at the Market and its environs on Mondays.
The Governor, during the visit, observed that many of the shops at the Market were under lock and key, with just few traders and market leaders on sight.
Addressing the traders shortly after the inspection, Governor Soludo expressed his dissatisfaction with the continuous locking of shops by the traders and generally poor level commercial activities experienced at Onitsha every Monday —all in the name and observance of sit-at-home.
He further declared that, henceforth, every shop, plaza and market in Onitsha and other parts of the state must be open on Mondays, adding that he would be visiting the Onitsha Market every Monday to inspect business activities.
The Governor also strictly warned that, henceforth, any shop or plaza that does not open on Mondays because of sit-at-home, would be sealed for one week, or even up to one month, as the case may be.
He equally assured that adequate security would be provided for the people for their protection, while also reiterating the need for them to open their shops and carry on with their commercial activities from Monday through to Saturday every week.
However, despite this warning, directive, and security assurance by Governor Soludo, this week Monday, October 14, was a no difference to what used to be, as the various shops at the various markets in Onitsha were also under lock and key as usual.
Although, it was observed that the markets’ gates were wide open for commercial activities, while some market leaders, market security operatives, and other security patrol team were sighted, the traders were nowhere to be found, including the customers.
Speaking in an interview with this reporter, the Caretaker Committee Chairman for Bridge Head Market Onitsha, Hon. Chinedu Ezekweike, confirmed the situation and further attested that the markets were without traders, despite being wide open and despite presence of market leaders and security presence.
“The markets’ gates were open, the market Chairmen and security were also present; but the traders did not show up,” Hon. Ezekweike said.
Efforts by this reporter to get the reactions of the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Commerce and Market, Chief Evaristus Uba, on the development, proved abortive.
