Fatimah Otunsanya
The Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State has sealed over 200 shops at the Bridge Head Market in Onitsha for failing to comply with the state government’s directive to disregard the Monday sit-at-home.
The affected shops, located across six market lines, were found under lock and key during a compliance monitoring exercise by the LG authorities on Monday.
It was gathered that there were no commercial activities in the area when the LG monitoring visited, as the traders reportedly refused to open their shops for business despite government directives mandating the resumption of normal trading activities.
The enforcement exercise was led by the Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Emeka Orji, and the Secretary of the Council, Paul Onuachalla.
During the operation, entrances to the affected market lines were sealed by the LG monitoring team, and new padlocks were secured to prevent access to the closed shops.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Orji described the traders’ actions as unfortunate and counterproductive, particularly at a time when the state government is working to restore normal commercial activities across Anambra State.
According to him, there are strong indications that the allocations of the affected shops may be revoked and reassigned to other traders, pending the outcome of a full investigation by the authorities.
During the operation, entrances to the affected market lines were sealed by the LG monitoring team, and new padlocks were secured to prevent access to the closed shops.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Orji described the traders’ actions as unfortunate and counterproductive, particularly at a time when the state government is working to restore normal commercial activities across Anambra State.
According to him, there are strong indications that the allocations of the affected shops may be revoked and reassigned to other traders, pending the outcome of a full investigation by the authorities.
“As we speak, the allocations of those shops are under review. Under the law, the government retains overriding authority over public property, and such allocations can be revoked in the public interest,” he added.
