Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has declared that his administration has the legal authority to revoke the land on which markets across the state are situated, including the Onitsha Main Market, and repurpose them for projects deemed to be in the overriding public interest.
The governor made this known on Thursday during a meeting with leaders of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Awka.
According to Soludo, the law empowers him to revoke market lands and utilise them for public facilities such as modern schools or security offices, including Agunechemba security formations, where necessary.
He explained that while compensation would be paid to the original landowners, anyone dissatisfied with the amount paid could seek legal redress in court to challenge the compensation, but not the revocation itself.
Addressing the market leaders, the governor directed all local government mayors to begin monitoring market activities from 10 a.m. on every market day, including Mondays.
He said shop owners who fail to open their businesses would be documented and reported, warning that such defaulters risk permanent shop closure, fines, or outright revocation of their shop spaces.
Soludo, however, assured traders that the state government would strengthen security in and around market areas to address concerns over insecurity and restore traders’ confidence.
He disclosed that plans were drawn up in 2023 to redesign and modernise the Onitsha Main Market, noting that the market is currently congested with shanties and illegal structures.
The governor said the plan was temporarily shelved due to the lack of a suitable relocation site for traders during the reconstruction period but stressed that the project would eventually be executed.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming the Onitsha Main Market into a modern commercial hub with state-of-the-art facilities, befitting its status as one of the largest markets in West Africa.
“All these efforts are in the best interest of the traders, our children, and future generations,” Soludo stated.
The governor also summoned a meeting of all Onitsha Main Market leaders for a roundtable discussion scheduled for Friday, January 30, at 11 a.m., at the Light House, New Government House, Awka. The meeting will deliberate on the modalities for reopening the market or implementing a temporary closure to allow the modernisation work to commence.
Market leaders present at the meeting included the President-General of ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna; Patron of ASMATA and President of Building Materials International Market, Ogidi, Chief Jude Nwankwo; President of Ogbaru Main Market, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu; Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chief Okpalugo, among others.
Soludo Threatens Revocation of Onitsha Market Land, Orders Strict Monitoring of Traders
