…According to Uba, with the steps being implemented by Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the Monday sit-at-home will soon become a thing of the past.
ANAMBRA, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Evarist Uba, the Special Adviser to the Anambra State Governor on Trade and Markets, has stated that bringing an end to the more than five-year Monday sit-at-home order is in the best interest of both the state and its residents.
He explained that the exercise costs the state an estimated ₦8 billion in economic losses every month, stressing that such a situation should not be allowed to continue.
According to Uba, with the steps being implemented by Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the Monday sit-at-home will soon become a thing of the past.
Speaking in his office at the Jerome Udorji Secretariat Complex in Awka, he noted that the temporary closure and subsequent reopening of Onitsha Main Market and Nnewi Auto Spare Parts Market had sent a strong warning to traders in other markets that similar sanctions could be imposed if they fail to comply with government directives.
Uba also revealed that the state government has improved security across markets and constructed several access roads leading to major trading centres in the state. He added that markets have remained peaceful since the beginning of Soludo’s administration, a development he described as essential for business and commercial growth.
“Ending the Monday sit-at-home is in our best interest. The state is losing economic activities to neighbouring states and about ₦8 billion in revenue every month because of it. It is hurting both the state and the people,” he said.
He appealed to commercial bus drivers to operate normally on Mondays to help end the disruption, expressing optimism that the measures introduced by the governor would soon eliminate the practice.
Uba further explained that he assumed office following the resignation of the former Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chimaobi Ngonadi, after which the ministry was restructured, separating trade and markets from industry.
Drawing from his experience as a former Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government Area, he said he addressed existing challenges in market administration and retained caretaker committees already in place in some markets.
However, he introduced a policy requiring caretaker committee chairmen to be verified traders with identifiable shops in the markets they oversee, explaining that such individuals would better understand traders’ concerns and effectively implement government directives, including the proper collection of market revenues.
Uba also highlighted infrastructure improvements undertaken by the Soludo administration, including the clearing of a large refuse dump at Ochanja Roundabout, where a water fountain has now been installed. He said new roads have also been constructed to improve access to major markets, including routes linking Iweka Road to Moore Street and Main Market, as well as roads from Bridgehead to Niger Street and Sokoto Road.
He added that the government also built Bank Road in Nnewi, which runs through the Nnewi Auto Spare Parts Market, and the Adili Hotel Road to Building Materials Road, projects he said have been well received by traders and residents.
Uba noted that the ongoing demolition and restructuring of parts of Onitsha Main Market align with the governor’s policy that “if you cannot park, you cannot shop.”
He explained that in the past, vehicular movement around the market was extremely difficult on trading days, forcing visitors to park far away and rely on tricycles to get close to the market.
According to him, the ongoing remodelling will include the construction of designated parking spaces within the market area, improve orderliness, and help address issues such as the disappearance of goods allegedly carried away by some wheelbarrow pushers.
