The sudden closure may result in numerous international traders being stranded in Anambra State, thereby projecting a negative image of the nation.”
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has warned that the shut down of Onitsha Main Market by Governor Chukwuma Soludo could worsen economic hardship and deepen social tension in the state.
He, therefore, urged the governor to reconsider the decision in order to ease social tension in the state.
The lawmaker made the call in a statement issued in Awka on Tuesday, following the Anambra State Government’s directive to close the market for one week after traders reportedly failed to open for business on Monday, in defiance of the state’s ban on sit-at-home activities linked to solidarity actions for the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
He expressed concern that the closure would inflict severe economic losses on thousands of traders and negatively impact the state’s economy, describing the measure as counterproductive.
Going further, he said the governor should adopt dialogue with the traders by engaging with their leaders, rather than punitive action of shutting down their businesses.
“The one-week closure of the Onitsha Main Market will inadvertently cause further hardship and economic losses to thousands of traders and have a detrimental impact on the state’s economy,” Ogene said.
The directive to shut the market has triggered widespread public outcry, with many residents questioning its constitutionality. The situation escalated into protests in Onitsha, leading to a near-total shutdown of the city, a major commercial hub and transit point for the South East and South South regions.
He further argued that the state government ought to have carried out extensive sensitisation and stakeholder engagement before enforcing the ban on sit-at-home activities as, according to him, engaging market leaders and business stakeholders and highlighting improvements in the security situation, including the relatively peaceful Christmas period, would have helped secure buy-in rather than provoke resistance.
“Available data suggests that the Onitsha market incurs losses of approximately N8 billion every Monday it remains closed. A one-week closure would, therefore, have adverse consequences for stakeholders and the state economy,” he said.
He added that the market deals largely in perishable goods, which could suffer significant depreciation during the closure, noting that such an outcome would be inconsistent with the governor’s background as an economist.
Ogene further warned of broader implications for the country’s image, stating that Onitsha Main Market attracts daily visitors from across West Africa.
“Onitsha market serves as a major commercial hub, attracting daily visitors from various West African countries. The sudden closure may result in numerous international traders being stranded in Anambra State, thereby projecting a negative image of the nation, particularly at a time the government is seeking to promote foreign investment and business opportunities,” he said.
The lawmaker therefore called on Governor Soludo to undertake comprehensive consultations with relevant stakeholders to foster a better understanding of the government’s policy. He also advocated a more sensitive and pragmatic approach, including a phased reopening of the market ahead of the one-week deadline, to reduce losses, calm public anxiety and prevent further unrest in the state.