Gov Obiano Shuts Nnewi Market

The Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, Saturday, shut down Agbaedo Nnewi New Motor Spare-parts market for one week following the refusal of the traders of the market to comply with the Covid-19 preventive protocols as ordered in the state.

Anambra State had this week imposed a nine-hour curfew, from 6am to 9pm daily, to curtail the rising cases of COVID-19 in the state.

The curfew was scheduled to begin next Monday.

In a release to that effect, Gov Obiano had warned that the government would shut down churches and markets, among other public places that failed to comply with the preventive measures.

Today’s shutting down of Agbaedo Nnewi New Motor Spare-parts market was contained in a press release signed by the commissioner for trade and commerce, Mr Uchenna Okafor, and made available to THE WHISTLER in Awka.

According to the release, the market would remain shut for one week following the disregard for the safety protocol by both traders and customers in the market.

The governor, in the release, also demanded officials of the market to appear before the commissioner for health, Dr Vincent Okpala, for retraining and recertification, within the period of the shutdown.

The release read, “Following the non-compliance to the COVID-19 safety protocols by the Agbaedo New Motor Spare Parts market, Nnewi, His Excellency the governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has ordered the closure of the market.”

One of the traders, popularly called Emeka Volvo, told our correspondent that the decision was hasty.

In his words, “The curfew begins on Monday, so I wouldn’t know why the market was closed two day before the day. We are getting set to start the observance of the protocols on Monday.”