Soludo Brokers Truce With Onitsha Main Market Leaders, Vows To Rejig Market Security

By Chuks Eke—

In a bid to restore Anambra State’s economic vitality, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has directed that all markets and shops across the state should remain open every working day, including Mondays.

The governor issued this directive in a press statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, PhD, shortly after a series of meetings held in Awka between the governor and market leaders from across the state.

These meetings, held within the week, aimed to address the recent closure of the Onitsha Main Market and the long-standing Monday sit-at-home practice, which the governor stated has significantly affected commerce in the Southeast.

Governor Soludo presented traders with a “renovate or rebuild” ultimatum, offering two distinct options. The first option is to level the existing structures and build a new, world-class trading hub.

The second option involves the market undergoing a massive modernization process. Soludo added that either choice would necessitate a temporary closure of the market or the relocation of traders.

Regardless of the option chosen, the Governor emphasized that Monday closures will no longer be tolerated.

“For four years now, we have engaged with you. We have discussed, pleaded, and even held prayer sessions with all the churches in April 2022, to end this. It is now time for more action,” Soludo stated.

The Governor also noted that the enforcement of the sit-at-home order has transitioned from a political protest to a criminal enterprise that no longer serves the interests of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

He alleged that those enforcing the order are largely non-indigenes of Anambra State and warned that “extreme measures” would be deployed by the government if defiance persists.

In response, the market leaders expressed their willingness to comply with the directive but highlighted logistical and security challenges. Mr. Chijioke Okpalugo, Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, pledged that traders would begin Monday operations in alignment with the Governor’s vision for a “One Anambra.”

The traders’ leadership presented several requests to ensure a successful transition. These include a visible and proactive security presence to protect traders and customers, ensuring that motor parks in the state are fully operational to attract buyers from outside the state, and decisive action against individuals who benefit from or facilitate the sit-at-home order.

Governor Soludo reaffirmed his commitment to securing the state’s commercial hubs, promising that the security architecture across all markets would be overhauled to prevent undue harassment by non-state actors. He declared that “Igbo land and Anambra will move forward.”