By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
The Anambra State government has sealed off some shops at the Building Materials Market, Ogidi and Electrical Parts Market, Obosi, both in Idemili North Local Government Area, for two weeks over traders’ failure to open for business on Monday.
The sealing off of the shops followed the visit of the markets by the Special Adviser to the state governor on Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, during a routine monitoring exercise to the areas on Monday, February 16.
Uba said the sealing off followed the directive of the governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, on the opening of markets in the state on Mondays and to restore normalcy and economic activities in the state.
He added that he undertook a routine monitoring exercise to observe the level of compliance to the state government’s directives for markets to open on Mondays.
The special adviser also commended the traders who opened for business on the day, especially Obosi Electrical Parts Dealers Market.
He said, “During the tour, we observed that a substantial number of shops at the Electrical Parts Dealers Market, Obosi were opened for business on Monday, marking a notable departure from the prolonged weekly lockdowns that have stifled economic activities across the state.
“The Obosi Electrical Parts Market is a key hub for electrical components in the South-East, and I am happy to see a significant level of activity.”
At the Building Materials Market, Ogidi, some shops that were under lock and key were sealed off by the state government, even as it commended those that opened for business.
Uba said, “The sealed shops will remain so for two weeks before they will be reopened after traders have shown commitment to opening on Mondays.”
The leaders of the market expressed their support to the state government’s stance on ending the Monday sit-at-home order in the state.
The Chairman of the Electrical Parts Dealers Association, Obosi, Chike Onunkwo, and President of International Building Materials Market, Ogidi, Chief Jude Nwankwo, applauded the exercise and the enhanced security provided by the state.
The market leaders noted that the state government has shown commitment to restoring the economic progress of the state and they must play their part.
