*’I Can Turn Premises To School’
*Ohanaeze Appeals For Onitsha Main Market Reopening
ANAMBRA State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, has directed that all markets and shops across the state should open for business on Mondays and all viable days, as part of measures to revive economic activities.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Soludo, speaking on Thursday, January 29, in Awka, during an interactive session with leaders of Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) and line leaders from across the state, following the recent closure of Onitsha Main Market over failure to heed government’s directive to shelve the Monday sit-at-home practice in parts of the Southeast, told traders that his government was considering a “renovate or rebuild” option for the facility.
He said the project would either involve redevelopment of the market into a modern trading hub or comprehensive modernisation of the existing structures, noting that regardless of the option adopted, Monday market closures will no longer be tolerated.
Soludo stated: “The sit-at-home practice has evolved from a political protest into a criminal activity, and it is not in anyway linked to Nnamdi Kanu. I do not support the sit-at-home order and it is not even observed in Umuahia, his hometown.
“We will deploy stronger measures to enforce compliance, as many of those enforcing the sit-at-home are not indigenes of Anambra.”
Soludo assured traders that the state government would overhaul the security architecture around markets to prevent harassment and guarantee the safety of lives and property as part of his administation’s commitment to restoring normal commercial activities across the state.
He said he could decide to build a school on the premises of Onitsha Market after revoking the land, insisting he has the requisite power under the law to revoke all the market premises in the state for overriding public interest and use them for something else of public interest.
He stated that he could revoke the premises and either build a modern school there or turn them into offices of the state’s Agunechemba security outfit in the overriding public interest.
The governor told them that he could pay compensation to the original owners of the lands where the markets are located and any one who feels the amount paid as compensation is not commensurate with his own estimation could go to court to contest the amount, but not the revocation.
Soludo directed all the local government mayors to monitor all the market/shops as early as 10a.m. every market day, including Mondays, to take record of shops that are not opened for business and report back to him for possible permanent closure, imposition of fine or outright revocation.
He assured them that government would provide adequate security in and around the markets to eliminate their fears of insecurity and restore their confidence.
He described the current condition of the Onitsha Main Market as an eyesore, announcing that his administration was considering its complete redevelopment, with plans to pull down the existing structures and replace them with a newly redesigned market, featuring modern facilities, including spacious motor parks and walkways.
The governor expressed displeasure over the continued closure of markets on Mondays, even as many people engage in various other activities on that day, except opening shops and reporting to work.
He recalled leading a delegation of Igbo leaders, including Pat Utomi, to Kuje Correctional Centre to meet Nnamdi Kanu over the sit-at-home order, where the jailed Biafra agitator directed his lawyers to publicly dissociate him from the order.
He stated: “There is no justification for locking up markets, especially when the Onitsha Main Market alone has over 150 security personnel.
“How can you be destroying the homeland you claim to be fighting for? If you cannot do business in Anambra, there are 36 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to operate from.
“Traders have the right not to open their shops, but I also have the right to revoke the land on which those shops stand if they refuse to open for business on Mondays.”
The governor noted that opening or closing markets, motor parks and shops does not significantly affect the state’s revenue, as stallage fees are paid annually, adding government was more concerned about the welfare of the people, which is why markets must operate on Mondays and workers must go to work.
On concerns raised by market leaders, Soludo vowed to enhance and upgrade security within the markets to complement existing security arrangements.
He assured them of increased security deployment at strategic market locations on Mondays to address their fears and end the persistent closure of markets, noting: “We are going to work with you. We will allow security personnel to stay with you for weeks if necessary.
“Security is not just about guns; it is also about will and mindset.”
He disclosed that government had directed all motor parks in the state to open on Mondays, warning that any motor park that fails to comply would be shut down for one week.
He vowed that anyone who enforces the closure of shops or markets on Mondays is aiding criminal elements loyal to Simon Ekpa and others destabilising the Southeast, adding: “Anybody found closing shops on Mondays will be treated as a criminal. We cannot harbour criminals in Anambra State.”
The governor urged traders and indeed, residents to report any threats or intimidation to the government, assuring that security agencies would track down and arrest those responsible and provide additional security personnel.
Responding, the market leaders had expressed readiness to comply with the directive, but raised concerns about security and logistics.
Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalugo, said traders would reopen on Mondays, as directed by the governor, but appealed for improved security presence in markets to ensure the safety of traders and customers.
He also called for the full operation of motor parks to enable the inflow of buyers from within and outside the state, as well as sanction against those who benefitted from or facilitated enforcement of the sit-at-home.
Meanwhile, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has appealed to Soludo to consider reopening the market.
Its President General, John Azuta-Mbata, in a statement issued by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Ezechi Chukwu, said Ohanaeze understood government’s concerns and the need to ensure order, safety and long-term development, but urged the governor to consider the economic hardship confronting traders and families whose livelihoods depend largely on the market’s daily activities.
According to him, reopening the market promptly would ease the burden on residents, particularly amid prevailing economic difficulties, adding: “We commend Soludo for his purposeful leadership and the administration’s efforts at transforming Anambra.
“In the spirit of inclusive governance, we request engagement with market leaders and stakeholders through dialogue to reach an amicable resolution.
“Ohanaeze remains confident in the governor’s commitment to Ndi Anambra and pledges continued support for peace, progress and development.”
