Normal activities resumed at the Onitsha Main Market on Monday as traders and shop owners opened their shops for business.
Last Monday, the Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, had ordered the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week, following traders’ failure to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home order.
The governor issued the directive during an on-site visit to the market, accompanied by some of his aides and other government officials. Soludo warned that the closure could be extended if traders failed to comply, adding that security agencies had sealed the market to enforce the order.
However, by 9:30 a.m. on Monday, over 70 per cent of shops were open along the Lagos Line, Ado Line, Mandela Line, and White House Line of the market, with trading activities proceeding smoothly.
The situation remained different on major roads in Onitsha, including the Onitsha-Owerri Road, Upper Iweka, and Mkpikpa Road, which were largely deserted, with scanty vehicular movement. Major motor parks also remained closed.
Heavy security personnel were seen patrolling various sections of the market as more traders resumed operations.
It was also gathered that about 10,000 shops have been marked for demolition.
