The Anambra State government has ordered traders in 12 more markets to resume full business operations on Mondays, warning that failure to comply could lead to temporary closures.
The directive comes after Onitsha Main Market was closed for a week on Tuesday due to traders refusing to open on Mondays, a situation the government said was disrupting economic activities.
The newly affected markets are 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 announcement, titled “Abolishment of Monday Sit-at-Home,” was contained in a circular signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, and addressed to leaders of major markets under the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association.
Market chairmen were instructed to inform traders to open for business on Mondays in line with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s executive order aimed at restoring normal economic activity.
Government monitoring teams will carry out random inspections, and markets found violating the directive may be temporarily closed for one month.
“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.
Governor Soludo has also scheduled a meeting with market leaders on Thursday, January 29, at the International Convention Centre in Awka to discuss the Monday sit-at-home policy and market operations.
Attendees will include chairmen, secretaries, zonal leaders, and line chairpersons from markets across the state.
The government emphasized that the meeting was convened following requests from some market leaders seeking the reopening of Onitsha Main Market, rather than as a response to Tuesday’s protest by traders.
A government source added that security will be tightened during the meeting to prevent any disruptions.
