Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders failed to comply with the state government’s directive to resume business activities on Mondays.
The governor issued the directive on Monday during an on-the-spot assessment of the market, accompanied by senior government officials and security personnel.
Soludo warned that the shutdown could be extended if traders continue to defy the order, stressing that security agencies have been deployed to enforce the closure.
He described the action as part of ongoing efforts by the government to restore economic activities in the South-East and counter the lingering effects of the Monday sit-at-home.
Despite repeated assurances of improved security and several appeals by the government for traders to return to work, Soludo noted that many shop owners once again kept their stalls closed, a development he said reflects the prevailing atmosphere of fear.
“The government cannot stand by while a few individuals willfully undermine public safety and disregard official directives meant to restore normalcy. This is plain economic sabotage,” Soludo said.
He added that the shutdown was aimed at protecting law-abiding citizens and preserving the state’s economic stability.
The governor further warned that failure to reopen after the one-week closure would attract a longer sanction.
“If this market does not reopen after one week, it will be sealed for one month. You either decide to trade here or you go elsewhere. I am very serious about this,” he stated.
A joint task force made up of police, military and other security agencies was seen securing the market premises as the gates were locked, marking a tense standoff between the authorities and traders.
Observers say the development underscores the wider struggle to end the Monday sit-at-home in the South-East. Attention is now focused on next Monday, when the market is expected to reopen, to see whether traders will comply with the government’s directive or continue to stay away.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has announced plans to introduce pro-rata salary payments for civil servants as part of measures to curb the sit-at-home practice.
The state Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, disclosed in Awka that from February 2026, workers’ salaries would be tied to their attendance on Mondays.
According to Mefor, the decision was reached during the end-of-tenure retreat of the Anambra State Executive Council, where the administration reviewed its performance over the past four years and outlined priorities ahead of the new term scheduled to begin on March 17, 2026.
