Partial economic and commercial activities were recorded in major cities of Anambra State on Monday as banks, markets, motor parks, business centres, petrol stations and public premises remained shut over the Monday sit-at-home.
It was gathered that the major markets, motor parks and other public places were devoid of the huge influx of human and vehicular activities recorded in the past few days as a result of the Yuletide, as the markets and motor parks were under lock and key.
The Second Niger Major and major roads across the state had scanty movement, as residents remained indoors, police operatives were seen deployed at strategic places at the River Niger head bridge while some operatives were also seen patrolling major streets in order to avoid any breakdown of law and order.
There was apprehension by travellers coming into the South-East over their safety should they embark on their journey on Monday, but the presence of policemen at the River Niger bridge doused every tension as they ensured free and safe movement of vehicles along the corridors.
Our correspondent who went around the major cities of Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and some parts of Awka, gathered that most people stayed indoors and did not go for Christmas shopping as a result of the sit-at-home.
Most residents expressed worry over their inability to make transactions at the banks’ Automated Teller Machines, ahead of Christmas Eve on Tuesday, lamenting that as a result of the development, PoS operators were exploiting the situation.
A resident of Onitsha and a businessman at the Onitsha Main Market (names withheld) while narrating his ordeal said, “Although some of us came to the market today, there is no much sales as customers did not come due to the sit-at-home. It affected full activities at the market and also affected our income.
“This has affected me in the sense that I will be travelling with my family members to my hometown tomorrow, Tuesday, December 24, ahead of Christmas and today’s sit-at-home has prevented us from making sales. There’s no much activity as it should be and tomorrow is the eve of Christmas.
“Moreover, the market leadership has announced the closure of markets from Tuesday, December 24 till Saturday, December 27. You can see that today’s sit-at-home has affected some of us who needed to make sales and have money to spend this Christmas.”
Another resident, Nkechi Okonkwo, said, “I will be travelling for Christmas with my family tomorrow and today, I set out to do some shopping, but I couldn’t buy the things I needed in the market as most people did not open their shop today. I also learnt that they have announced a closure of markets from tomorrow. Today’s sit-at-home has really affected us.”
Speaking on the development, the state police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, assured residents of their safety as they go about their normal business, saying the command has deployed operatives at strategic places.
“The Anambra State Police Command remains committed to fostering a secure and peaceful environment in collaboration with other security stakeholders.
“To this end, operatives have been deployed at strategic places to forestall any breakdown of law and order,” Ikenga added.
Meanwhile, according to a circular obtained by our correspondent from the market on Monday, the leadership of markets in the state has announced the closure of major markets.
The circular signed by the President General, Anambra State Market Amalgamated Traders Association, Chief Humphrey Anuna, indicated that markets will be closed from Tuesday, December 24 and reopened again on Friday, December 27 and then close again on December 31 to reopen again on January 6, 2025.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.