Anambra Orders 12 More Markets to Open on Mondays, Threatens Closures Over Defiance

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The Anambra State Government has expanded its enforcement of Monday trading, directing traders in 12 additional markets to open for business or face sanctions, including temporary shutdowns.

The fresh order follows the recent one-week closure of the Onitsha Main Market, which the government imposed after traders repeatedly ignored directives to operate on Mondays. Authorities said the continued sit-at-home practice was severely disrupting economic activities across the state.

Markets affected by the new directive include Ochanja Central Market, Bridgehead Market, Ogbaru Main Market, the Building Materials Market in Ogidi, Agba-Edo Auto Spare Parts Market in Nnewi, New Auto and Motorcycle Spare Parts Market, Nnewi, Fairly Used Motorcycle Spare Parts Market, Nnewi, New Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkpor, Nkpor Main Market, Old Mercedes Benz Spare Parts Dealers Market, Nkpor, Old Motor Spare Parts Market, Obosi, and the Electrical Dealers International Market, Obosi.

The directive was conveyed through a circular titled “Abolishment of Monday Sit-at-Home”, signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba. The circular charged market chairmen with ensuring total compliance with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s directive aimed at restoring full economic activities in the state.

According to the government, monitoring teams will conduct random inspections across the affected markets to enforce the order.

The circular warned that any shop found closed on Mondays would be sealed, with owners liable to legal action, while any market that violates the directive risks being shut down for one month.