Traders at the Onitsha Main Market on Monday opened their shops to customers in defiance of the threat from the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, ordering a total lockdown of the entire Southeastern Nigeria.
Recall that the market had remained closed for the past one week, in line with the directive of the state governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo last week, as punishment for obeying the sit-at-home order.
The IPOB had, in response, ordered a total lockdown of the entire Southeast region in solidarity with the traders.
But, upon the expiration of the closure today, it was observed that the market immediately buzzed back to life, with a lot of the shops open, and their owners were seen calling and bargaining with customers.
Also observed was the heavy presence of security personnel deployed at strategic points, especially at the entry and exit of the market, and some other roads across the Onitsha city.
One of the traders at the market, Chinyere Ufoh, who sells phone accessories at the Emeka Offor plaza, said she is happy with the state government’s efforts to reclaim Mondays in the state.
She noted that the sit-at-home had become meaningless, resulting in massive economic losses for them and their customers.
Another trader, Ifeanyi Igwe, noted that the traders are always willing to open for business, but appealed to the state government to beef up security and as well relapse their decision to demolish over 10,000 illegal shops and structures in the market.
He urged other traders across the state to join them and the Soludo-led administration by putting a final stop to the Monday Sit-at-home in the market.
Meanwhile, Awka, the state capital, was agog with activities at the schools, markets, and government offices visited.
At the popular Aroma Junction, civil servants were seen in large numbers heading to their offices, while pupils and students were studying at their respective schools.
Some school proprietors spoken with, however, noted that the turnout was not s impressive as it used to be because of the disposition of the governor.
The owner of one of the schools in Isuaniocha in Awka North Council Area of the state, who pleaded anonymity, said “Monday sit-at-home was almost being phased out before the governor started with his latest directive. We used to have appreciable attendance, but today, it is different.
“some of the parents we spoke with are afraid of putting their children in harms way, due to what they have seen done to people who disobeyed the sit-at-home order in the past.
“It is not enough for the governor to mandate people to come out on Mondays. The main issue is that he needs to provide the enabling security for the people.
“Again, in the event of any untoward incident happening to anybody who obeys the state government and comes out on Mondays, the government should also assume responsibility and pay compensation to such a person and their families,” he suggested.
Another civil servant, Ifeyinwa Igboanugo, appealed that the pro rata payment directive of the state government for civil servants should be applied with a human face.
According to her, while some of the cities may be adjudged to be safe, the civil servants have to travel from suburbs, where insecurity is still rife, and as such, may not be able to move on Mondays.
