
…As ASMATA continues monitoring compliance to Monday business
By Polycarp Ifeanyi, Onitsha
Traders in Anambra State, Monday demanded for the immediate unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to assist in full compliance to the restoration of Monday business activities in the Southeast geo-political zone.
They made the demand when the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, ASMATA, President General, Chief Humphrey Anuna, in continuation of inspection of markets and sealed those who disobey government directives by shutting down their businesses.
Recall that the State Government has directed that sanitation exercises be carried out on Mondays before opening of shops, as part of restoring Monday business activities caused by the Sit-at-home order.
Welcoming the ASMATA President General and his Executives to the Ochanja Central Market Onitsha, the Chairman of the Market , Chief Bonaventure Muo, said that traders were not comfortable with the Monday business activities because of the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.
“They also prefer Saturdays for the sanitation and prayers because few vehicles are on the road to take the traders to their various markets coupled with the fact that security can not be hundred percent guaranteed. We are supposed to see the joint security operatives roving the streets.
“So sanitation is good but drivers make it cumbersome for traders as they disappear from the roads on Mondays”
” Monday is the first day of the business activities but the Monday business dropped so drastically that it affected other days. Activities in the Southeast are for three days now, Tuesday to Thursday, others are for functions like burials, marriages, among others”
“Southeast Governors should hold the bull by the horn, rise up to the challenges by meeting with President Bola Tinubu with a view to releasing Kanu if the lost glory of the Markets would be restored,” he stated
The Ochanja Market Chairman who spoke through his Secretary, Hon. Obinna Maduka, flanked by his personal Assistant, Chukwudi Okafor, admitted that there has been improvement on the turn up of traders in the market on Mondays.
In his response, the ASMATA President, General, Chief Anuna, stressed the need for sanitation exercise in the Markets, pointing out that it attracts investors and makes the environment comfortable for business interactions.
“Cleanliness is Godliness, it attracts business and investors in the State and is also a good environment for comfortable business transactions. We go round to ensure that the traders abide by the state Government’s directives that prayers, sanitation exercise and opening of markets take place on Mondays”
“We in ASMATA are interested in the restoration of the lost glory of the Markets in the State by ensuring that Government directives are carried out to the letter.
Traders should not try us by shutting their shops on Mondays. Government has provided enough security and that is why we are comfortably moving around the state to monitor the markets and seal those that don’t want to comply with the Government’s directive,” he stated.
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