Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has issued his strongest warning yet to traders over the persistent sit-at-home disruptions, declaring that his administration has the legal authority to revoke market lands—including the iconic Onitsha Main Market—and repurpose them for other public uses such as schools or security facilities.
Soludo made the declaration on Thursday during a meeting with leaders of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), held at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Awka.
According to the governor, the law empowers the state government to revoke any market land for overriding public interest, stressing that such decisions are non-negotiable once taken.
“I can decide to revoke the land and build a modern school on it, or convert it to Agunechemba security offices. That is within the powers of government,” Soludo said.
He explained that while compensation would be paid to original landowners, any dispute could only be over the amount of compensation—not the revocation itself.
Crackdown on Sit-at-Home Compliance
In a decisive move aimed at ending economic paralysis, Soludo directed all local government mayors to begin monitoring market activities from 10 a.m. on every market day, including Mondays.
Mayors are to document shops that remain closed and submit reports to the state government, with defaulting traders facing penalties ranging from fines and permanent shop closures to outright revocation of shop rights.
The governor insisted that prolonged market shutdowns under the guise of insecurity or sit-at-home orders would no longer be tolerated.
Security Assurances, Modernisation Plans
Soludo, however, sought to reassure traders, pledging enhanced security around market premises to restore confidence and ensure free commercial activities.
He disclosed that the state government had, as far back as 2023, designed a comprehensive plan to remodel Onitsha Main Market into a modern commercial hub, lamenting that the market is currently dominated by shanties and illegal structures.
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The project, he said, was temporarily shelved due to the absence of a suitable relocation plan for traders during reconstruction.
“Onitsha Main Market is adjudged the largest market in West Africa. Our goal is to modernise it with world-class facilities for the benefit of traders, our children, and future generations,” Soludo added.
Fresh Talks With Market Leaders
As tensions continue to rise over the sit-at-home enforcement, the governor has summoned all leaders of Onitsha Main Market to a crucial roundtable meeting on Friday, January 30, at 11 a.m., at the Light House, New Government House, Awka.
The meeting will deliberate on modalities for reopening the market or approving a temporary closure to allow modernisation work to begin.
Market leaders present at Thursday’s meeting included ASMATA President-General, Chief Humphrey Anuna; ASMATA Patron and President of Building Materials International Market, Ogidi, Chief Jude Nwankwo; President of Ogbaru Main Market, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu; Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chief Okpalugo, alongside several other market presidents and chairmen across the state.
The governor’s hardline stance signals a defining moment in Anambra’s battle to end sit-at-home disruptions and reclaim its commercial heartbeat.