Anambra seals shops in Ogidi, Obosi markets over Monday sit-at-home

The Anambra State Government has sealed several shops at the Building Materials Market in Ogidi and the Electrical Parts Market in Obosi, both in Idemili North Local Government Area, for two weeks after traders failed to open for business on Monday.

The action followed a monitoring visit by the governor’s Special Adviser on Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, who inspected compliance with the directive of Governor Chukwuma Soludo mandating markets to operate on Mondays.

Uba said the move was aimed at restoring normal economic activities and ending the weekly disruptions that have affected businesses across the state. According to him, shops that remained closed were sealed as a deterrent, while compliant traders were commended.

He noted that about 80 per cent of shops at the Obosi Electrical Parts Market opened for business, describing it as a positive sign. The market, he added, serves as a major hub for electrical components in the South-East and its reopening signals growing confidence in the government’s efforts to improve security and stability.

At the Ogidi Building Materials Market, however, several locked shops were sealed, with officials warning that the affected outlets would remain shut for two weeks pending improved compliance.

Market leaders expressed support for the government’s stance, pledging to encourage traders to operate fully and contribute to rebuilding the state’s economy.

Members of the monitoring team, including the Commissioner for Information, the Special Adviser on Security and other officials, also toured major markets in Nnewi and Onitsha to assess adherence to the directive.