Soludo Reopens Nkwo Nnewi Market After Compliance, Orders Sanctions for Defaulters

Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has reopened the New Motorcycle Spare Parts Market, known as Nkwo Nnewi, after a one-week shutdown linked to poor compliance with the Monday work directive.

The market was sealed last Monday after state officials inspected the facility and observed low trader turnout. The enforcement team, led by the Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Evaristus Uba, said the closure was meant to enforce the state order against Monday sit-at-home disruptions.

At the time of the shutdown, Uba said traders were given one week to comply and return fully to business. He warned that if turnout remained low after that period, authorities could extend the closure.

By Monday, however, officials said the position had changed. The chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Echezona Anazodo, visited the market and reported a strong return of traders. Following that inspection, the state reopened the market.

Anazodo said the improvement in attendance showed that traders had responded to the directive. He said authorities would now focus on defaulting shop owners rather than close the entire market again.

According to him, shops that stayed shut despite the reopening would be sealed individually so that compliant traders would not continue to suffer collective punishment. He said the administration wanted to avoid shutting down everyone because of what he described as the actions of a few.

Meanwhile, reports from Ihiala Local Government Area said another market was closed for one week after officials allegedly met the premises under lock and key on Monday.

Security concerns remain part of the wider context in Ihiala and surrounding communities. The area was among locations that saw heightened separatist activity during the peak of Biafra-related agitation, with residents and business owners reporting major disruption to economic life.

The latest enforcement steps indicate that the Anambra government is maintaining pressure on markets and transport operators to restore full Monday commercial activity while using targeted sanctions against non-compliant traders.