Eche Nwaobasi reporting from Onitsha
Despite visible improvement on security as a result of activities ‘udo ga achi’ investigation conducted by a select crack investigative newsmen on markets opening on mondays in Anambra state showed that various markets especially key markets are continually under lock and key in defiance of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo’s order for all markets to resume trading on Mondays.
Discreet investigation by these investigative reporters showed that it is only four markets that usually comply with Gov. Soludo order by opening business every Monday. These markets which newsmen observed after several checks are Ogbaru main market located around the famous upper Iweka flyover, Sokoto road, Nkpor main market Nkpor, and Iweka road Radio and Television Technician Association led by Chief Sabestine Ebinite.
Further underground investigations conducted which entailed visiting such markets on Mondays sit-at-home to ascertain whether such market opened for trading in obedience to Gov. Soludo order for market to open for business showed that many markets, especially key markets, are always under lock and key with no official in sight except vigilantes guarding the market.
Many markets like Onitsha Main market, Bright Street, Oseokwaodu, moore street, Bida roads, New motor spare parts, New tyres, Old motor spare parts (Ngbuka) all in Nkpor, Old motor spare parts, Electrical market all in obosi, Ogboefele, Ogbo rods, all in bridgehead axis, Electrical market Ogbaru as well as other numerous markets visited in Nnewi, and Awka were empty with their executives physically absent but whenever contacted on phone will tell the caller that they are inside the market. Newsmen called one of the chairmen of key markets, and he told us that he was inside the market but not knowing that newsmen were inside the market calling him. But when newsmen told him that they were inside, he switched off his phone. We gathered that this is a ploy they always used to confuse officials of the government that calls them to ascertain whether they are in the market on Mondays in obedience to Gov. Soludo’s order for them to open the market on Mondays.
Newsmen also visited Eke Awka market as well other market sites in the capital city and from there went to Ekwulobia, Isuofia, Igboukwu, Ichida, Awka-etiti, Afo Nnobi, Agboedo market and other markets in Nnewi, where the story was the same as everywhere remain under lock and key.
Speaking on why the traders are finding it difficult to trade on Mondays in disobedience to Gov. Soludo’s order for market to be opened, a prominent trader in one of the markets, Chief Samuel Eke, blamed it partly on most market executives who are not doing enough to mobilize the traders to change their mind. On the other hand, individual traders have fallen in love for this exercise as they are using the opportunity to exercise, relax, and have a good time with their families
Sources told newsmen that the main reason for the problem was caused by leadership of the various markets as they don’t live by example by making sure that they open their individual shops on Mondays instead of deceiving the government that they are always present on Mondays where as they dont come to their markets.
Another source suggests to newsmen that Gov. Soludo needs to screen the entire leadership of the various markets, including that of ASMATA as they may be using the opportunity to create loopholes for opposition politicians to utilize to campaign that Gov Soludo cannot control traders for their palms to be greased by these polticians.
According to the source they asked, what is so difficult to make all the traders in various markets in the state to open their shops on Monday adding that if an effective leadership is there in these markets that the governor’s order should be obeyed without hesistation.
Speaking to the group of investigative newsmen who visited their markets during last week Monday sit-at-home, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu, the President of Ogbaru Main market who was seen trading in his shop inside the market took the newsmen on a tour of the market to show them the ongoing painting of all the market gates and beautification of walls he is currently undertaking. He further told the newsmen that the market has been opening every Monday for business in obedience to the Governor’s order for markets to open for business.
The same scenario was also observed at Nkpor Main market where the Chairman of the market, Chief Paul Okafor was observed having a meeting with his executives, while at Iweka road, the Chairman, Chief Sabastine Ebinite was seen working with his apprentices in his shop just as Chief Emeka Mbachu, the Chairman of Sokoto Road traders association was seen also trading in his shop.
He told newsmen that he has been consistently opening his shop on Mondays in obedience to Gov. Soludo’s order saying it is high time every market comply with the order as the exercise is adversely affecting business in Anambra State, to prevent customers from diverting to other States.