Traders at Onitsha Main Market and other markets across Anambra State have pledged to end the Monday sit-at-home and resume full operations on Mondays, in line with the directive of Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
The assurance was given on Thursday during an interactive session with the governor, following prolonged market closures that have severely disrupted commercial and economic activities in the South-East.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Onitsha Main Market Chairman Chijioke Okpalugo said traders are ready to support the governor’s “One Anambra” vision but appealed for enhanced security to protect lives and property.
On behalf of market leaders, Okpalugo requested a visible and sustained security presence, full operation of motor parks to facilitate the movement of buyers and goods, and decisive action against individuals benefiting from or enforcing the sit-at-home order.
“Our governor is listening and progressive-minded. We strongly believe he will consider our appeal and allow the market to reopen fully because he cares for his people,” Okpalugo said. “We have lost significant fortunes since the sit-at-home began. We fully support the governor’s action against this order.”
Governor Soludo, in his remarks, declared that all markets and shops in Anambra must remain open every working day, including Mondays, emphasizing that the era of sit-at-home-induced closures is over.
He assured traders that the state would overhaul security around markets, protecting commercial centres from harassment and intimidation. He also presented a “renovate or rebuild” plan for the market, offering either a complete redevelopment into a modern trading hub or a comprehensive overhaul of existing structures.
“Igboland and Anambra must move forward. Business activities must continue, irrespective of the option chosen. Enforcement of the sit-at-home is a criminal enterprise, unrelated to the agitation for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” Soludo said.
He dismissed claims linking the sit-at-home to the detained IPOB leader, noting that it does not occur in Kanu’s hometown of Umuahia. The governor further alleged that many enforcers were not indigenes of Anambra State and warned that extreme measures would be deployed if defiance persisted.
