Onitsha Market Chairman In Support Of Soludo

Onitsha Market Chairman In Support Of Soludo

The chairman of Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State has backed the state government’s decision to shut the market for one week, saying the move was necessary to revive economic activity that has suffered due to repeated disruptions.

The closure was ordered by Governor Chukwuma Soludo after traders failed to open their shops on Monday despite government appeals.

Speaking in Onitsha on Tuesday, the market chairman, Chijioke Okpalaugo, said the decision was long overdue and aimed at protecting traders, customers and the wider public.

He explained that the continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home had drained the market of revenue and weakened its role as a major commercial hub.

The market was sealed on Monday after the governor’s visit revealed that business activities remained suspended.

The state government has maintained that the weekly shutdown causes heavy financial losses, running into billions of naira for Anambra State and even more across the South East, while also disrupting work and daily life.

Okpalaugo appealed to the governor to reconsider the length of the closure and allow the market to reopen within the stated period.

He said traders recognised the intention behind the action and believed the government would act with understanding, noting that the shutdown followed prior warnings issued days earlier.
He also urged traders to remain calm, obey the directive and avoid taking the law into their own hands.

According to him, the market has remained peaceful since the closure, with no reports of casualties, as traders continue to comply with the government’s order.