The Anambra State Government has introduced a mandatory attendance register for traders in all markets across the state.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo gave the directive on Thursday during a crucial meeting with market leadership at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Awka.

Attendance was taken for market leaders, line chairmen and other stakeholders present at the meeting, which followed the recent shutdown of the Onitsha Main Market and other related issues.

The governor explained that line leaders in each market would be responsible for taking daily attendance, while Local Government Chairmen would collect the registers every Monday by 10:00 a.m.

Soludo described the current condition of the Onitsha Main Market as an eyesore and disclosed that his administration was considering a complete redevelopment of the market.

According to him, plans are being examined to pull down the existing structure and replace it with a newly redesigned market featuring modern facilities, including spacious motor parks and walkways.

He revealed that a proposed design for the market had been submitted to him over three years ago.

The governor expressed concern over the continued closure of markets on Mondays, noting that many people engage in various activities on those days except opening shops and reporting to work.

He recalled leading a delegation of Igbo leaders, including Prof. Pat Utomi, to Kuje Correctional Centre to meet Mazi Nnamdi Kanu over the issue of the Monday sit-at-home order. According to Soludo, Kanu subsequently directed his lawyers to publicly dissociate him from the sit-at-home directive.

“There is no justification for locking up markets, especially when the Onitsha Main Market alone has over 150 security personnel,” Soludo said.

“How can you be destroying the homeland you claim to be fighting for? If you cannot do business in Anambra, there are 36 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to operate from.

Traders have the right not to open their shops, but I also have the right to revoke the land on which those shops stand if they refuse to open for business on Mondays,” he added.

The governor stressed that opening or closing markets, motor parks and shops does not significantly affect the state’s revenue, as stallage fees are paid annually.

However, he said the government was more concerned about the welfare of the people, which is why markets must operate on Mondays and workers must go to work.

Responding to concerns raised by market leaders, Soludo promised to enhance and upgrade security systems in markets to complement existing security arrangements.

He assured traders across the state of increased security deployment at strategic market locations on Mondays to address fears and end the persistent closure of markets.

“We are going to work with you. We will allow security personnel to stay with you for weeks if necessary. Security is not just about guns; it is also about will and mindset,” the governor said.

Soludo further disclosed that the state government had issued a directive mandating all motor parks in Anambra to open on Mondays.

He warned that any motor park that fails to comply would be shut down for one week.

The governor declared that anyone who enforces the closure of shops or markets on Mondays is aiding criminal elements loyal to Simon Ekpa and others destabilising the South-East and Anambra State.

“Anybody found closing shops on Mondays will be treated as a criminal. We cannot harbour criminals in Anambra State,” he said.

He urged traders and residents to report any threats or intimidation to the government, assuring them that security agencies would track down and arrest those responsible.

“If anyone sends you threatening messages, forward them to us. We will get those criminals, and we will provide additional security personnel,” Soludo added. (Daily Trust)