The Anambra State Government has sealed several shops at the Building Materials Market, Ogidi and the Electrical Parts Market, Obosi for two weeks following traders’ failure to open for business on Monday, in defiance of the state’s directive against sit-at-home orders.
The enforcement action is part of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s renewed push to restore normal economic activities across Anambra and end the prolonged Monday market shutdowns that have impacted businesses in the South-East.
Sit-at-Home Enforcement: Why Anambra Sealed the Shops
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Markets, Evarist Uba, led a routine compliance monitoring visit to the markets on Monday.
According to Uba, the decision to seal non-compliant shops was necessary to:
Enforce the state government’s directive on Monday market operations
Restore economic stability and productivity
Discourage enforced weekly lockdowns
Reinforce confidence in the state’s security framework
He noted that while some traders complied, shops that remained under lock and key were sealed for a two-week period.
“The sealed shops will remain closed for two weeks and will only be reopened after traders demonstrate commitment to opening on Mondays,” Uba stated.
Obosi Market Records 80% Compliance
The government commended traders at the Electrical Parts Dealers Market in Obosi, where about 80 per cent of shops opened for business.
Describing the development as a “notable departure” from prolonged weekly shutdowns, Uba emphasized that the Obosi Electrical Parts Market remains a critical hub for electrical components in the South-East region.
He praised the traders’ courage and patriotism, stating that their compliance reflects confidence in the Soludo administration’s efforts to restore peace and economic growth.
Ogidi Building Materials Market Also Affected
At the Building Materials Market in Ogidi, enforcement officers sealed several non-compliant shops, though traders who opened for business were commended.
Market leaders expressed support for the government’s stance on ending sit-at-home disruptions, citing improved security measures and renewed government commitment to stabilizing the state’s economy.
Market Leaders Back Soludo’s Economic Recovery Drive
Key market leaders who endorsed the exercise include:
Chike Onunkwo, Chairman, Electrical Parts Dealers Association, Obosi
Jude Nwankwo, President, International Building Materials Market, Ogidi
They acknowledged enhanced security presence and pledged cooperation with the state government to rebuild Anambra’s economy.
Monitoring Team Extends Compliance Checks to Nnewi, Onitsha
The compliance team included:
Law Mefor, Commissioner for Information
Ben Chiobi, Special Adviser on Security
Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to the Governor
They also visited major commercial hubs in Nnewi and Onitsha to monitor compliance with the governor’s directive.
