Leaders of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) have commended traders at the Onitsha Main Market for setting aside the long-observed Monday sit-at-home and reopening their shops for normal business activities.
The commendation came barely a week after Governor Chukwuma Soludo ordered the closure of the market for one week over continued compliance with the sit-at-home directive.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, the President-General of ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna, alongside the association’s Patron and President of the Building Materials International Market, Ogidi, Chief Jude Nwankwo, said they were pleased with both the government’s decision to suspend the market closure and the traders’ compliance with the directive to resume trading on Mondays.
They noted that although not all shops reopened on Monday, there were strong indications that full business activities would return in the coming weeks.
“While some traders are still cautious, we are optimistic that by next Monday and subsequent Mondays, trading will return to normal across the market,” they said.
However, the market leaders expressed concern over reports that some shops within the Main Market had been marked for demolition by the state government. They questioned what would become of affected traders should the proposed demolition proceed.
Anuna and Nwankwo also dismissed reports suggesting that the Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Mr. Chijioke Okpalugo, had resigned his position due to alleged threats from non-state actors. According to them, Okpalugo remains in office and continues to coordinate market activities.
A visit to the Onitsha Main Market around 11:30am on Monday revealed significant levels of compliance, with more than 70 per cent of shops open by 8:45am across key sections such as Fashion Line, Children’s Wear Line, Accessories Line, Lagos Line, Ado Line and Mandela Line. Trading activities were observed to be progressing smoothly, in contrast to the usually deserted Mondays of previous years.
However, adjoining markets including Ochanja and Relief Market recorded low turnout, as many shops remained closed and the areas appeared sparsely populated.
The reopening of the Main Market took place amid heightened security presence and warnings by authorities against compliance with sit-at-home orders issued by non-state actors.
Further observations showed traders opening their shops early from Egerton Road through Ose Foodstuff Market to The Young Park, a major entrance into the Main Market. Commercial activities were also noticeable around Emeka Offor Plaza, Sokoto Road, Lagos Line and Marine areas, though customer turnout was still gradual.
Reacting to rumours of intimidation, the Market Chairman, Mr. Chijioke Okpalugo, dismissed claims that he had been threatened to shut the market.
“I did not receive any threat from any quarter to lock the market. As you can see, activities are ongoing, and traders are opening their shops joyfully without fear,” he said.
He added that traders were clearly complying with government directives to ignore the sit-at-home order, stressing that business activities had resumed peacefully.
One of the traders, Chief Silas Igwe, welcomed the development, describing it as a major boost to commerce in the state.
“We are happy that commercial activities have returned to Mondays after more than four years. Monday is one of the most important business days, and we hope this progress will be sustained,” he said.
Security personnel were seen patrolling different sections of the market as trading activities continued to pick up. It was also gathered that approximately 10,000 shops within the market have been marked for possible demolition, a development that has continued to generate concern among traders.
ASMATA Hails Onitsha Main Market Traders for Ending Monday Sit-at-Home as Shops Reopen
