The Anambra State Government and leadership of the Onitsha Main Market have reached an agreement to resume business activities on Mondays following days of market closure triggered by continued compliance with sit-at-home orders.
The development comes after Governor Chukwuma Soludo met with market leaders, during which the traders pledged to end the Monday shutdown in line with the administration’s directive aimed at restoring full commercial operations across the state.
In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalugo, assured the governor that traders would begin operating every Monday in support of Soludo’s “One Anambra” vision. However, the market leadership raised concerns over logistics and security, stressing the need for adequate protection to guarantee the safety of traders and customers.
Among the demands presented by the traders were proactive security deployment within and around the market, full functionality of motor parks to encourage patronage from outside the state, and decisive government action against individuals who profit from or enforce the sit-at-home order.
Governor Soludo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to securing Anambra’s commercial centres, promising a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s security architecture to prevent intimidation and harassment of traders.
“Igbo land and Anambra will move forward,” the governor was quoted as saying.
He also presented the traders with a “renovate or rebuild” option, offering either a complete redevelopment of the existing market into a world-class trading hub or an extensive modernisation of current facilities.
Recalling years of engagement with stakeholders, Soludo said sustained dialogue, appeals, and even statewide prayer sessions had failed to end the disruptions, stressing that stronger action had now become necessary.
“The current enforcement of the sit-at-home order has moved from a political protest to a criminal enterprise that no longer serves the interests of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” the governor stated, adding that many of those enforcing the directive were not indigenes of Anambra State. He warned that extreme measures would be taken if defiance continued.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Chinedu Nwonu, revealed that the market recorded losses exceeding ₦200 billion within six days of closure. According to him, Onitsha Main Market conducts between $5 billion and $10 billion in trade annually, with daily transactions estimated at between $12 million and $15 million.
Converted to naira, Nwonu said the market generates close to ₦20 billion daily, translating to about ₦120 billion in direct losses over six days. He added that when indirect losses and missed business opportunities are factored in, the total figure rises beyond ₦200 billion.
Governor Soludo had ordered the closure of the market last Monday after traders continued to observe the sit-at-home directive initially issued four years ago by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPoB) as part of its campaign for a sovereign Biafran state.
