By Ovat Abeng
In a move aimed at restoring order and addressing economic and security concerns, the Anambra State Government has officially ordered the closure of the New Auto Spare Parts Association (NASPA), Nkwo Nnewi, for a period of one week.
The enforcement exercise was carried out on the orders of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday, signaling a firm stance on market governance within the state’s industrial hubs.
The shutdown was spearheaded by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, who led a high-powered government team to the market premises, which were largely under lock and key by traders.
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According to him, the decision to seal the market stems from several unresolved issues, especially non-compliance with the government directive that all markets across the state should open on Mondays and every weekday, in defiance of the unpopular sit-at-home directive.
During the enforcement, Chief Uba emphasized that the closure is not intended to punish traders but to act as a “cooling-off” period, stating that failure to open for business is considered by the state government as an act of economic sabotage and will be treated as such.
The market is expected to remain under government and security watch until the expiration of the one-week mandate, during which stakeholders, traders, and union leaders are expected to recalibrate, failing which the market will be shut down for two weeks.
