Gov Soludo Orders One-Week Closure of Onitsha Main Market

Gov Soludo Orders One-Week Closure of Onitsha Main Market

In a decisive move aimed at reinforcing government directives and restoring economic normalcy, Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the immediate closure of Onitsha Main Market for one week.

This action follows traders’ failure to comply with the state’s instruction to resume full business activities on Mondays, a directive that was designed to abolish the lingering “sit-at-home” practice in the South-East.

Governor Soludo’s decision came after an unscheduled visit to the market, where he observed that a significant number of shops remained closed despite repeated warnings.

The sit-at-home order, originally declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in protest against the detention of its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has long disrupted commercial activities across the region. Although the Anambra State Government officially abolished the practice, many traders have continued to observe it, leading to economic stagnation and reduced productivity.

The closure of Onitsha Main Market, one of Nigeria’s largest and most economically vital trading hubs, is intended to send a strong message to defaulters. For seven days, all trading activities within the market will remain suspended.

Governor Soludo emphasized that similar sanctions would be applied to other markets, schools, and public institutions that fail to comply with the directive. He further warned that civil servants who neglect to resume work on Mondays risk salary deductions.

The governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring that Mondays are restored as normal business days across Anambra State.

He stressed that the government’s stance is not only about economic revival but also about strengthening security and discouraging practices that undermine public order.

The enforcement of this penalty underscores the seriousness of the administration’s resolve to dismantle the culture of inactivity that has plagued the region.

This development highlights the tension between government efforts to normalize economic life and the lingering influence of separatist directives. It also underscores the importance of Onitsha Main Market as a symbol of resilience and commerce in Nigeria.

The coming week will test the resolve of traders and the effectiveness of the government’s measures in reshaping the socio-economic landscape of Anambra State.