Governor Charles Soludo has directed markets in Anambra to resume opening for business on Mondays from next week.

Mr Soludo gave the directive at a meeting with leaders of 91 markets and transport unions in the state, on Friday in Awka.

He said that the preliminary survey conducted showed that more than N19.6 billion was being lost due to closure of businesses every Monday in the state.

He said the directive had become necessary due to the negative impacts which the sit-at-home being observed in Anambra and other states in the South-Eastern zone, were having.

He said he was not against those sympathetic to the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, currently being held in detention.

“People should devout time to pray for him, while we leaders continue to follow up the matter because I believe that through dialogue, the matter will be resolved,” he said.

He assured that adequate security would be provided across the state to enforce the directive.

Mr Soludo also told the union leaders about his administration’s plan to usher in a new order in various markets and parks across the state.

“In the next three months, we will put in caretaker committees in markets with leadership problem, but in about one year, we will conduct fresh elections in all the markets.

“When the election will be held, we will adopt ‘option A4’ so that proper people will take up leadership positions”, he said.

Mr Soludo said that the practice of market leaders collecting revenue for the state government would have to stop.

He stressed the need for people to help restore the sanitary condition of Onitsha, Nnewi and other major towns as well as stop illegal construction of buildings.

Chairman of the Bridge Head Markets, Sunny Obinze, appealed to the governor to allow them meet with their subjects before enforcement of the order.

(NAN)