SOME BANKS, MARKETS DEFY MONDAY SIT AT HOME ORDER IN ANAMBRA

Reporter: ONYINYE CHIJIOBI

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has applauded the level of compliance of commercial banks  following the directive given them last week to disregard the Monday sit at home order. Governor Obiano gave the made his feelings known when he led members of the state Executive Council round the state capital, Awka and its environs to monitor compliance to the government directive.

The Governor while addressing those that yielded to the directive, said that the measure was  important following economic implications the sit at home order had on the people and state at large.  The Governor used the opportunity to call on the people of the state to go about their normal businesses, assuring them of adequate government security.

Governor Obiano noted that it is important for the people to heed to the directive because of its huge economic benefits, and  promised that adequate security had  been provided. Some of the banking staff told the governor that they were ready for business, but noted that the problem was poor turn out of customers.

The places visited included Eke Awka Market and Onitsha Main Market. Radio Nigeria observed that some shops were under lock while many other traders brought out their wares to attend to customers in the Market.

Meanwhile, traders at Ajasa Market, Onitsha, came out en mass to do business in line with the state government’s directive. 

The Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) had in August 2021 given a sit at home order to be observed every Monday across the five south east states of Nigeria as a way to pressure the Federal Government to release its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (MNK), who is being held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Though IPOB later announced suspension of the order, many people and businesses still adhere to the order, mainly for fear of being attacked by hoodlums who insist that the order persists.