Traders at the Onitsha Main Market have pledged to end compliance with the Monday sit-at-home and resume full business activities following assurances from the Anambra State Government.
Traders at the Onitsha Main Market on Thursday declared their readiness to resume full business activities on Mondays, in line with the directive of the Anambra State Government. The pledge was made during an interactive session between Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo and market leaders from across the state, following the recent closure of the market and the prolonged Monday shutdown that has disrupted commercial activities in the South-East.
Speaking on behalf of the traders, the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Mr. Chijioke Okpalugo, said traders were prepared to commence Monday operations in support of the governor’s vision of a “One Anambra,” but appealed for enhanced security to safeguard lives and property. He said the commitment was aimed at restoring confidence and normalcy to business activities in the state.
In his remarks, Governor Soludo declared that all markets and shops in Anambra State must remain open on every working day, including Mondays, stressing that the era of sit-at-home-induced market closures was over. He offered traders a “renovate or rebuild” option for the Onitsha Main Market, insisting that business must continue regardless of the choice, and described the enforcement of sit-at-home as a criminal enterprise no longer connected to the agitation for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.