Anambra State government shuttered non-compliant shops in two major markets for a fortnight Monday, enforcing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s mandate to resume normal business on Mondays despite lingering separatist sit-at-home calls.
The closures targeted outlets at the Building Materials Market in Ogidi and the Electrical Parts Market in Obosi, both in Idemili North district, after traders ignored directives to open.
Special Adviser on Markets Evarist Uba, leading a monitoring team, announced the sanctions to revive economic activity.
“The sealed shops will remain so for two weeks before they will be reopened after traders have shown commitment to opening on Mondays,” Uba said, hailing partial adherence in Obosi where 80 percent of stores operated.b3264e He praised the market as a vital South-East hub for electrical goods and credited improved security for the uptick.
Market chairmen backed the drive, with Obosi’s Chike Onunkwo and Ogidi’s Jude Nwankwo endorsing the push for recovery and lauding state-provided safety measures.
The inspection squad, including Information Commissioner Law Mefor, Security Adviser Ben Chiobi and Press Secretary Christian Aburime, also checked compliance in Nnewi and Onitsha hubs.
