Onitsha Market Closure: Tread with caution – Rep Ogene tells Soludo

By Nwabueze Okonkwo

Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State, in the House of Representatives, has urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State to tread with utmost caution the closure of Onitsha main market by reconsidering his decision and reopening the market.

Soludo had closed the market on Monday in response to the traders’ refusal to open on Mondays, following the state government’s ban on Monday sit-at-home exercises in solidarity with IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

But in a press statement issued on Thursday, Ogene expressed concern that the week-long closure would inadvertently cause further hardships and economic losses to thousands of traders, as well as have a detrimental impact on the state’s economy.

He therefore called on Soludo to embrace dialogue with the leaders of the market, aimed at diplomatically resolving the isdues at stake.

Accorcing to Ogene, “the governor’s directive to close the market was met with widespread public outcry, with many questioning the constitutionality of the action. This led to an instant outburst of protests in Onitsha, resulting in the complete shutdown of the city, a major commercial hub and transit point for the South East and South South regions, causing considerable concern among stakeholders”.

Rep. Ogene suggested that the Anambra State Government should have undertaken comprehensive sensitization efforts, engaging market leaders and business stakeholders, to highlight the improved security situation in the state, citing the peaceful Christmas season as an example. This, he argued, would have garnered support for the ban on sit-at-home exercises rather than the abrupt announcement that was made.

Ogene further stated: “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. Furthermore, the market contains perishable goods, which would suffer significant depreciation, an outcome that is unlikely to align with the governor’s intentions, given his background in economics”.

“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 as the government strives to promote foreign investment and business opportunities.”

Rep. Ogene therefore, called upon Governor Soludo to engage in comprehensive consultations with stakeholders to facilitate a deeper understanding of the government’s policy, advocated for a more sensitive approach, culminating in a phased reopening of the market ahead of the initially stipulated one-week period, thereby mitigating potential losses, social unrest, and prevailing anxiety within the state.

Vanguard News

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