Ogona Anita
The Onitsha Main Market on Monday reopened for full commercial and trading activities, marking the end of nearly five years of shutdown on Mondays due to the sit-at-home order
With the reopening, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof.Charles Soludo, has effectively brought to an end what he described as the practice of “no work on Mondays” across markets in the state. The resumption of trading followed the governor’s directive that all markets in Anambra State must operate fully every Monday.
Governor Soludo has consistently argued that the prevailing situation in the state was no longer a sit-at-home protest but an enforced shutdown of economic activities, which he described as economic sabotage.
A visit by our correspondent to the Onitsha Main Market revealed widespread compliance with the governor’s directive, as traders opened their shops and resumed business activities.
As early as 7:00 a.m., the .main market gates were opened, and shop owners began operations.
The strong presence of security operatives,including the military, police, and the Agunechemba security outfit boosted traders’ confidence.
Security personnel were stationed at major junctions across Onitsha and within the main market premises.
Speaking to our reporter, a trader, Mr. Okeidi Chidi, expressed gratitude to the government for reopening the market.
“Seven days of market closure is not easy. You keep spending money, but nothing is coming in,” he said.
He appealed to the government to sustain security presence, noting that although traders are willing to open on Mondays, fear of attacks remains a concern.
“People want to open their shops on Mondays, but they need strong security for protection,” he added.
Mr. Chidi, however, lamented low customer turnout despite the reopening and urged the government to address the root causes that led to the prolonged market closure.
Another trader, Sir Chukwudi Beneath Oguike, thanked God for the successful reopening of the market on Mondays. Oguike, who is the Chairman of Egoma Intercontinental Limited, said traders were delighted with the development.
“It has been our struggle for years to have this market opened every Monday. We are happy that the market is finally open, and for me, I will open my shop every day,” he said.
He also appealed to the governor to reconsider the proposed market regeneration plan, warning that many traders who have operated in the market for over 30 years could be adversely affected if forced out.
The Mayor of Onitsha North Local Government Area, Hon. Tony Nwoeze Nwora, described the reopening as a welcome development that deserves collective support.
According to him, the market located within his council—had been shut for over four years.
“The resilience of our hardworking governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, has made it possible for this market to come alive again. History is being made today. As you can see, the market is bubbling with activities, and security operatives are everywhere to reassure traders that the protection of lives and property remains the priority of this administration,” he said.
The mayor stated that the government is working tirelessly to ensure that no trader is harassed and that institutions such as schools and banks also operate fully on Mondays.
“Anambra State cannot survive continuous closure of institutions. This reopening is a positive development. I thank all traders who came out en masse today. This is what we have prayed and fought for over four and a half years. I believe this progress will be sustained, but achieving lasting success requires collective responsibility, not government alone,” he added.
The National Coordinator of APGA Media Warriors, Evangelist Chinedu Obigwe, who was also present at the market, described the development as a major victory for the people of Anambra State.
“The opposition claimed traders would not obey the governor, but today they have been proven wrong,”
“Those miscreants who harassed people every Monday were nowhere to be found. The era of politicizing the welfare of Anambra people is over. We thank Governor Soludo, the traders, and the security operatives for ending this draconian sit-at-home order.”he said.
The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Association, Mr. Chijioke Okparaugo, who was seen monitoring compliance, told reporters that the era of Monday sit-at-home was over.
“You can visit any line or any part of the market to confirm that we are fully back to business every Monday,” he said.
The Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, described the level of compliance as over 80 percent, noting that the command was proactive in securing lives and property.
“The situation speaks for itself. Monday sit-at-home has been laid to rest, and compliance is above eighty percent,” he said.
He reassured residents that incidents of attacks and arson associated with the sit-at-home order were over, adding that security operatives would continue to protect lives and property daily, not just on Mondays.
“We are here to ensure that nobody is harassed,” he stated.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, also described the reopening as a significant achievement, assuring traders that the Agunechemba Security Squad would remain fully deployed across markets in the state.
“We thank our traders for this courageous turnout and all security operatives for reclaiming our Mondays from miscreants, most of whom are not traders,”
“We will sustain internal security in all markets. Traders should go about their lawful duties without fear. Agunechemba is fully prepared and on top of the situation.”he said.
