By Obianuju Azukaego/Uchechukwu Molokwu/Ngozi Okoli/Nkiru Anakor/Nwakaego Okafor
Ndi Anambra have expressed joy as economic activities return to normalcy, following Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s suspension of Monday sit-at-home order.
A cross-section of traders who spoke with our correspondents at Minas Market, Onitsha, described the development as welcome and worthy of commendation.
Mr. Festus Okolo, in his remarks, said it was interesting to witness the gradual disappearance of the Monday sit-at-home order as the city of Onitsha buzzes once again with economic activities.
According to Mr. Okolo, he had initially thought that the annulment of the sit-at-home order would be an impossible task considering how long it had lingered.
He added that the sit-at-home order had caused grievous damage to economic activities in the Eastern part of Nigeria, noting that many people believed it could not be stopped.
On her part, Lady Chinelo Ukalor lamented that the sit-at-home order had nearly crippled the economic benefits of Anambra State, while hailing Prof. Soludo’s decision to scrap it.
“As you can see, we are in the market today, which is Monday, and customers are gradually coming to patronize us,” she said.
Lady Ukalor urged traders who are yet to resume Monday trading to do so in order to restore customers’ confidence.
She further said that the Monday sit-at-home had inflicted poverty on the masses, as some petty traders could hardly feed on a daily basis without selling their goods.
Other traders who responded to our interview commended Prof. Soludo for his political will which they said has helped him to achieve great feats in the state.
Similarly, some transporters around the Upper Iweka area of Onitsha expressed happiness as they gradually resumed full operations on Mondays.
Mr. Paul Nwokedi, a tricycle (Keke) rider, hailed Prof. Soludo for standing firm on his decision, describing him as an economic expert.
The officers are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
