Anambra traders in Agbo-Edo New Motor Spare Parts Nnewi, are rejoicing and thanking the state Governor, Willie Obiano for reopening their market. The market was shutdown for almost five days by the Government, after the traders were accused of violating COVID-19 guidelines of the state.
According to reports, the Chairman of the Anambra traders in the market, one Brother Dennis Ikegwuonu, in his speech at the gate entrance before ushering the traders in, thanked the governor for his kindness.
He also directed Anambra traders to always wear their face masks, stressing that any culprit will pay a penalty of two thousand naira.
He urged the market taskforce to ensure the implementation of the rules.
Ikegwuonu stated that only the two major gates will be opened as the other fourteen gates of the market will remain closed for effective and efficient implementation of COVID-19 protocols.
The Anambra traders also thanked the commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Chief Uchenna Okafor and the patron of the market, Chief Innocent Chukwuma for their roles towards the reopening of the market.
The Governor had on Saturday, February 6, 2021, through the Ministry of Trade and Commerce ordered the closure of the Agbedo New Spare Parts Market, Nnewi, for flagrant and constant violations of the protocols on the check of the coronavirus and the law on the control of infectious diseases in Anambra State.
The state government blamed the traders for the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in the state, saying that the behaviour of the traders in this market and their customers as well as the nonchalant attitude of officials of the market union, there has been a huge spike in the number of COVID-19 infections in Nnewi since this year.