The Anambra State government has ordered traders in 12 additional markets to resume full business activities on Mondays, warning that non-compliance could lead to temporary market closures.
The directive follows the state’s earlier action on Tuesday, when Onitsha Main Market was closed for one week due to traders’ refusal to open on Mondays, a move the government said disrupted economic activities.
The newly affected markets include 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 issued 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 (ASMATA).
Market chairmen were instructed to ensure traders comply with Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s executive order aimed at restoring normal economic activity. Government monitoring teams will conduct random inspections, with non-compliant markets facing temporary closure of up to one month. “Any shop that is not open will be sealed by government officials, and the occupant may face legal action,” the circular stated.
Governor Soludo has 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. The meeting will include chairmen, secretaries, zonal leaders, and line chairpersons from markets across the state, with heightened security to prevent disruptions.
The government noted that the meeting was requested by some market leaders seeking the reopening of Onitsha Main Market, not as a response to protests.
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