By Okonkwo Nwabueze
ONITSHA — Despite recent state government guidelines calling for a return to regular trading activity, traders at Anambra State’s Onitsha Main Market have stated that the Monday sit-at-home practice has persisted for a variety of reasons.
Barely a week has passed since Governor Chukwuma Soludo ordered vendors to reopen their stores at Onitsha Main Market and other important municipal marketplaces, breaking the sit-at-home mentality. On Monday, however, observations revealed a lack of adherence to the directive.
Less than 20% of traders opened their stores, according to the findings, and business activity essentially stagnated because there were no consumers. According to an on-the-spot analysis, the vast market had, on average, only three stores each line open between 10:00 a.m. and the official closing time of roughly 5:00 p.m. Chairman Chief Chijioke Okpalugo of the Onitsha Main Market said he had nothing to say about the incident and declined to speak on the matter.
Mr. Emeka Ozigbo, a trader, told reporters that many traders would want some time to get used to trading on Mondays again, pointing out that some had already made Mondays a day for meetings or relaxation.
He claims that despite the government’s promises, many traders still fear attacks by non-state actors because they think these organizations may turn violent.
There are still some traders who are scared. Even though IPOB has disassociated itself from the Monday sit-at-home order, some people are continuing the sit-at-home in support of Nnamdi Kanu, Ozigbo stated.
Some traders were heard saying that the sit-at-home will go on despite government orders, claiming that those who wanted to put an end to it should focus their energies on getting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of IPOB, released.
Mr. O.J. Obasi, Esq., an Onitsha lawyer, claimed that once the state government decided to close the market for a week, things got worse.
“People were going about their daily lives fearlessly prior to Governor Soludo’s announcement of the one-week closure. However, fear and uncertainty set in following the announcement, further discouraging dealers, he said.
Obasi counseled all levels of government to let citizens engage in their legal activities without fear of retaliation.
“Our people work hard.” Nobody wants to become entangled in a chaotic web. “People are just trying to stay alive,” he continued.
