By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Wednesday, threatened to shutdown more markets and revoke ownership of shops not willing to obey the executive order suspending sit-at-home by opening for businesses on Mondays.
Soludo, who stated this in a statewide broadcast, wondered why the markets that operated on Mondays and Sundays during the yuletide suddenly started observing the unofficial "sit-at-home" lockdowns.
According to him, after meeting with market leaders on Thursday, the State government would leverage on the Land Use Act and public interest to revoke any market refusing to open for businesses on Mondays and convert their facilities to Agunaechemba security camps or allocate them to serious traders.
He described the traders' refusal to open on Mondays as an act of economic sabotage against the State and Southeast region, adding that those sponsoring and enforcing the so-called sit-at-home were neither indigenes nor residents.
The governor further maintained that security has been restored in the State with over 150 operatives already stationed at the Main Market to enable traders carry on their duties on Mondays, and urged other markets around the state never to shutdown on Mondays or face the wrath of law.
Soludo further disclosed that the government has offered an amnesty program to those living in the bush, constituted a dedicated committee, established a Bureau for Missing Persons, as well as introduced free education, free maternal and child healthcare, among others to better the lives of people.
He added, "Markets were opened all through the days of the week in Christmas and new year. So, why did they decide to shutdown now? Also, all the street traders are seeing on Mondays. People engage on walkouts on Mondays, play football and other activities.
"They don't complain of insecurities in engaging in these activities. But when you ask why they didn't open shops on Mondays at Main markets they will complain of insecurity. Why? We have a significant number of security officers stationed at various markets. Criminals are those enforcing this. The majority of people doing this are not from Anambra."