The Anambra State government has sealed shops at the Building Materials Market in Ogidi and the Electrical Parts Market in Obosi, both located in Idemili North Local Government Area, for two weeks following traders’ failure to open for business on Monday.
The action followed a routine monitoring exercise conducted by Chief Evarist Uba, Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Markets, who visited both markets to assess compliance with the state government’s directive for markets to operate on Mondays.
Uba said the closures were necessary to restore normalcy and reinforce the governor’s instructions, while commending traders who opened their shops, particularly in the Obosi Electrical Parts Market. He noted that about 80% of shops in Obosi complied, describing their decision to open as a testament to their commitment to peace and economic prosperity in the state.
“The sealed shops will remain closed for two weeks and will only be reopened once traders demonstrate full compliance by operating on Mondays,” Uba said, adding that the state’s push toward economic recovery requires collective resolve.
Market leaders, including Chike Onunkwo, Chairman of the Electrical Parts Dealers Association, and Chief Jude Nwankwo, President of the International Building Materials Market, Ogidi, expressed support for the government’s action, citing enhanced security and the importance of rebuilding the state economy.
A monitoring committee, comprising the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi (rtd); and Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, also visited other major markets in Nnewi and Onitsha to ensure compliance with the governor’s directive.
The state government has warned that continued defiance of official market operating guidelines will attract further sanctions.