Anambra Govt. closure order hits traders hard as markets remain shut

Despite Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive for traders to open their shops on Monday, major markets in the state, particularly in Onitsha, remained closed. Governor Soludo had warned that businesses failing to comply with the order would be sealed off. However, in a significant display of defiance, key markets such as the Onitsha Main Market, Ochanja Market, Head Bridge Market, and Building Materials Market were shut down, with traders choosing not to resume activities.

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Although the streets saw an increase in vehicular movement compared to previous Mondays, the majority of traders were still reluctant to open their shops. Security personnel, particularly police patrols, were visible across the city, maintaining order and ensuring peace as residents moved about the streets. Some traders expressed caution, with Festus Okoli, a trader at the Main Market, stating, “There’s more traffic than usual, but people are still afraid to open their shops.”

One female trader selling wrappers admitted she was unaware of the governor’s directive and believed it might take time before people felt secure enough to return to business on Mondays. Governor Soludo personally toured several areas, including Nkwo Igbo-Ukwu, Afor Nnobi, and Upper Iweka, urging traders to gradually resume operations while assuring them of their safety. Despite the security presence, the governor acknowledged the slow compliance and encouraged businesses to heed the government’s call for normalcy.