The Anambra Government has ordered the closure of the new Auto Spare Parts Market, Nkwo, in Nnewi, over non-compliance with the government directive for all markets to open for businesses on Mondays.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the shutdown was spearheaded by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba.
Uba ordered that the market be shut down for a period of one week, saying that the move is aimed at restoring order and addressing economic sabotage across the state.
He explained that the enforcement exercise was carried out on the orders of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo.
He emphasised that the governor’s order signalled a firm stance on market governance within the state’s industrial hubs.
According to him, the decision to seal the market stems from several unresolved issues, especially non-compliance with the government directive that all markets across the state should open on Mondays.
“Not opening the market on Mondays is considered by the state government as an act of economic sabotage and will be treated as such.
“The market is expected to remain under government and security watch until the expiration of the one-week mandate,” he said.
Uba said that during the one-week period, stakeholders, traders and union leaders are expected to recalibrate, as failure to adhere to the government directive would result in the market being shut down for two weeks. (NAN)
