The Anambra State Government has introduced a mandatory attendance register for traders in all markets across the state as part of efforts to end persistent market closures, particularly on Mondays.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo announced the directive on Thursday during a meeting with market leaders, line chairmen and other stakeholders at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Awka.
Attendance was taken at the meeting, which followed the recent shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market and growing concerns over compliance with market operations across the state.
The governor explained that line leaders in each market would be responsible for recording daily attendance, while Local Government Chairmen would collect the registers every Monday by 10:00 a.m.
Soludo described the current state of the Onitsha Main Market as unsightly and revealed that his administration was considering a comprehensive redevelopment of the facility.
According to him, plans under consideration include demolishing the existing structure and replacing it with a modern market complex equipped with improved facilities such as spacious motor parks and pedestrian walkways. He disclosed that a proposed redesign of the market had been submitted to his office more than three years ago.
The governor expressed concern over the continued closure of markets on Mondays, noting that while many residents engage in normal activities on those days, shops and workplaces remain shut.
He recalled leading a delegation of prominent Igbo leaders, including Prof. Pat Utomi, to the Kuje Correctional Centre to meet with Mazi Nnamdi Kanu over the sit-at-home order. According to Soludo, Kanu subsequently instructed his lawyers to publicly dissociate him from the directive.
“There is no justification for locking up markets, especially when the Onitsha Main Market alone has over 150 security personnel,” the governor said.
“How can you be destroying the homeland you claim to be fighting for? If you cannot do business in Anambra, there are 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to operate from,” he added.
Soludo warned that while traders have the right to choose whether to open their shops, the government also reserves the right to revoke land allocations for persistent refusal to operate on Mondays.
The governor noted that market closures do not significantly affect the state’s revenue, as stallage fees are paid annually, but stressed that the policy was driven by concern for the welfare and livelihoods of the people.
According to him, markets, motor parks and workplaces must operate on Mondays to restore economic normalcy.
Responding to concerns raised by market leaders, Soludo pledged to strengthen and upgrade security arrangements in markets across the state.
He assured traders of increased security deployment at strategic market locations on Mondays to address safety concerns and end the recurring shutdown of markets.
“We are going to work with you. We will allow security personnel to stay with you for weeks if necessary. Security is not just about guns; it is also about will and mindset,” Soludo said.
The governor further disclosed that the state government had directed all motor parks in Anambra to open on Mondays, warning that any park that fails to comply would be shut for one week.
He also warned that individuals enforcing the closure of markets or shops on Mondays were aiding criminal elements loyal to Simon Ekpa and others destabilising the South-East and Anambra State.
“Anybody found closing shops on Mondays will be treated as a criminal. We cannot harbour criminals in Anambra State,” Soludo said.
He urged traders and residents to report any threats or intimidation to the authorities, assuring them that security agencies would track down and arrest those responsible.
“If anyone sends you threatening messages, forward them to us. We will get those criminals and provide additional security,” the governor added.
