The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has threatened to seal shops or plazas of traders in the State observing the Monday Sit-at-home order issued by Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB.
The Governor issued the warning during an inspection tour of the Main Market in Onitsha on Monday. Walking through the market, Soludo expressed his displeasure over the large number of locked shops and plazas.
The Governor who was at the market to observe the level of commercial activity amid the lingering sit-at-home order, expressed dismay.
Recall that IPOB had in 2021 declared the sit-at-home order in the Southeast to protest the extraordinary rendition of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu. And even since then, the exercise has continued to the people of the Southeast States, especially traders. This is in spite of the official suspension of the order by the group earlier this year.
Investigations have revealed that people have continued to observe the Sit-at-home order for fear of violent attacks on their business concerns.
But visiting the Main Market on Monday, Soludo, warned that any trader or business that refuses to open on Mondays would face severe penalties. These, he said included the sealing of shops for up to one month.
The Governor stressed that the persistent closure of businesses on Mondays would damage the State’s local economy. Soludo cautioned that customers might start going to other regions of the country to purchase goods.
“I am here to ensure that your shops are open. From now on, every Monday, the Main Market must be open for business,” the governor declared.
“If you fail to open, your shop will be sealed for one week. And if necessary, for up to one month. When you are ready to open, it must be from Monday through Saturday,” Soludo said.
The Governor, therefore, assured the traders that adequate security measures would be in place to protect them. He urged them to resume full commercial activities on Mondays to help boast the State economy.
source: PUNCH
Follow us for more news on our WhatsApp News Channels @
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaC505jB4hdZ5Yx9g82U
