Anambra State Loses ₦8bn Weekly to Sit-at-Home, Says Commissioner

Kingsley Ohens reporting

The Anambra State Government has disclosed that the state loses an estimated ₦8 billion every Monday as a result of the sit-at-home practice enforced by non-state actors, describing the situation as a major threat to its socio-economic stability.

The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Law Mefoh, made this known on Tuesday during an interview on The Morning Brief, a programme aired on Channels Television. According to him, the recurring shutdown of markets and businesses every Monday has significantly disrupted commercial activities across the state.

“Available statistics show that Anambra State loses an average of ₦8 billion every Monday when markets are shut,” Mefoh said, noting that the cumulative effect of the practice has been devastating for traders, workers, and the state’s overall economy.

His remarks followed Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent directive ordering the closure of the Onitsha Main Market for one week after traders reportedly failed to open their shops on Monday, despite assurances of security.

Mefoh defended the governor’s action, insisting that the state government has a constitutional responsibility to protect economic activities and livelihoods. He described opposition to the decision as “mischievous,” adding that the government views the sit-at-home practice as a form of economic sabotage.

“It is not as if the governor woke up one morning and arbitrarily shut down Onitsha Main Market,” he said. “This decision emanated from the State Executive Council after a retreat held two Mondays ago, where it was resolved that concrete steps must be taken to end sit-at-home in Anambra.”

According to the commissioner, the policy is not targeted at Onitsha alone. He disclosed that the government would extend its monitoring to all markets across the state.
“We have over 150 markets in Anambra State. Any market found to be shut on a Monday will face the same treatment. This measure is inevitable for now,” Mefoh stated.

He further emphasized that the sit-at-home order had officially been abolished four years ago, stressing that its continued observance has imposed an enormous economic burden on the state.

“If you calculate 56 Mondays in a year, multiply that by four years, and then by ₦8 billion, you will see that the state has lost well over ₦1 trillion. This situation is unacceptable and must stop,” he added.

The Anambra State Government says it remains committed to restoring normal economic activities while ensuring the safety of residents and traders across the state.