By Ovat Abeng
Some Shops at the popular building materials market, Ogidi, near Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State that were under lock and key, has been sealed by the state government for not opening as directed by governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
It was gathered that the affected shops were sealed by the state government officials led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Markers, Chief Evarist Uba, during a routine monitoring exercise in the market, on Monday.
He warned that the sealed shops will remain so for two weeks.
Uba, however, commended traders at the Obosi Electrical Parts Dealers Market, Obosi, for their compliance with the state’s directive against the controversial Monday sit-at-home order.
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The visit follows reports that a substantial number of shops at the market were open 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, a key hub for electrical components in the Southeast, saw a significant level of activity.
According to Uba who said that government is intentionally building a state that embraces productivity, the government of Anambra State, under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, is highly impressed by the courage and patriotism displayed by the electrical parts dealers in Obosi as eighty percent of the market was open, pointing out that their decision to open their shops is a clear testament to their faith in the government’s efforts to restore peace and their commitment to the economic prosperity of the state.
The leaders expressed their support for the government’s stance.
Chairman of the Electrical Parts Dealers Association, Obosi, Mr. Chike Onunkwo and Chief Jude Nwankwo, President of International Building Materials Market, Ogidi, praised the enhanced security provided by the state, pointed out that the government has shown commitment, as such they must play their part in rebuilding the state economy.
The Monitoring Committee, which has the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, AVM Ben Chiobi rtd, Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime, as members, also visited other major markets in Nnewi, Onitsha, among others, to monitor compliance to the government directive.
