Anambra Seals Nkwo-Ogbe Market Over Sit-At-Home Defiance
Government Moves Against Non-Compliance
THE Anambra State Government has sealed the popular Nkwo-Ogbe Market in Ihiala Local Government Area over traders’ refusal to open for business on Mondays, in defiance of the state’s directive aimed at ending the sit-at-home practice.
Confirming the development to journalists on Monday, Chairman of Ihiala Local Government Council, Mr. Anayochukwu Ojiako, said the market would remain shut for one week as a disciplinary measure.
According to him, the action became necessary after repeated efforts by government officials and market leaders failed to secure compliance from traders.
Warning Signal to Traders
Ojiako explained that the closure was intended to send a strong warning to traders and reinforce the government’s determination to end the Monday sit-at-home in the area.
He noted that Nkwo-Ogbe Market was the only major market in the council area that had continued to shut down on Mondays despite directives to resume full commercial activities.
“As government, we have done everything within our disposal to end Monday sit-at-home. Other markets have complied, but Nkwo-Ogbe has blatantly refused to open,” Ojiako said.
He listed markets such as Nkwo-Okija, Uzoigwe Market in Ubahuekwem, Eke-Agbagba Market in Uli, and Ogbo-Osisi Market among those that now operate normally on Mondays.
Efforts to Persuade Traders
The council chairman further revealed that market leaders had made several attempts to persuade traders to resume business activities at the start of the week.
He said even his personal efforts to open the market on Mondays were ignored by traders.
“The market leaders have done everything within their capacity to persuade the traders. But their pleas fell on deaf ears. Even when I personally opened the market on Mondays, the traders still refused to carry out business,” he stated.
One-Week Closure
Ojiako stressed that the market would remain closed for one week as a consequence of flouting government directives.
The Anambra State Government has in recent months intensified efforts to restore full economic activities on Mondays, arguing that continued observance of sit-at-home negatively affects commerce and livelihoods across the state.
The latest action underscores the administration’s resolve to enforce compliance and revive economic activities in all parts of Ihiala and beyond.
