KEY POINTS
- Anambra orders 12 more markets to open on Mondays.
- Non-compliant markets risk temporary closure for one month.
- Governor Soludo will meet market leaders to discuss enforcement.
The Anambra State government has directed traders in 12 additional markets to resume full operations on Mondays, warning that markets found in violation of the order may face temporary closures.
The directive follows the state’s closure of Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders refused to open on Monday, a move the government said disrupted economic activity.
Anambra extends Monday reopening order to more markets
The newly affected markets include Ochanja Central Market, Bridgehead Market, Ogbaru Main Market, Building Materials Market Ogidi, and several auto and spare parts markets in Nnewi, Nkpor, and Obosi, as well as Electrical Dealers International Market in Obosi.
A circular titled “Abolishment of Monday Sit-at-Home”, signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, instructed market leaders to further notify traders to comply with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s executive order. Government monitoring teams plan to conduct random inspections and may close non-compliant markets for up to one month.
The circular stated, “Government officials will seal any shop that is not open, and they may take legal action against the occupant. Officials will close any market that fails to comply for one month.”
Soludo schedules meeting with market leaders
Furthermore, Soludo has scheduled a meeting on Thursday, January 29, at the International Convention Centre in Awka with chairmen, secretaries, zonal leaders, and line chairpersons of markets across the state. The government said market leaders requested the meeting to reopen Onitsha Main Market, not to respond to the Tuesday protest.
A government source said authorities will heighten security measures during the meeting to prevent disruption. While the state emphasized that restoring normal economic activity is a key objective, and enforcement will continue to ensure compliance.
