Anambra's Economy Suffers N8 Billion Weekly Loss from Sit-at-Home Practice
The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefoh, has disclosed a staggering economic impact from the persistent sit-at-home practice in the state. According to official statistics, Anambra loses approximately N8 billion every Monday due to market closures and business disruptions.
Security Improvements Fail to Reverse Economic Damage
During an interview on Channels Television's The Morning Brief programme, Commissioner Mefoh emphasized that while security conditions have significantly improved over recent months and years, the economic consequences of the sit-at-home tradition continue to plague the state. He stated that the initial fear factor that prompted Monday closures has largely dissipated, yet the practice persists as traders have transformed Mondays into an extension of their weekends.
"Let me repeat for emphasis that initially there was fear factor, but it's no longer there," Mefoh declared. "Even for months and years, Anambra security has been fairly restored, so there is no longer any fear factor."
From Security Measure to Economic Habit
The commissioner explained how what began as a security precaution has evolved into a damaging economic habit. "What has happened is that the fear factor led to the closing of the market every Monday in the past, and over time, the traders now converted Monday into an extension of their weekend," he noted. This transformation has created a self-perpetuating cycle that continues to harm the state's economy despite improved safety conditions.
Mefoh highlighted the severe socio-economic consequences of this practice: "This in itself is seriously affecting the socio-economic life of any state. Statistics has it that Anambra is losing an average of N8 billion every Monday that the markets are shut."
Government's Responsibility and Opposition Criticism
The commissioner framed the government's position clearly, stating that authorities have a fundamental responsibility to ensure economic continuity. "This is very serious, and if you look at it from that perspective, you can see that the government has a responsibility to ensure that the economy is running," Mefoh asserted.
He addressed critics of the government's efforts to normalize Monday business activities, suggesting that opposition stems from questionable motives. "Those who are opposing it are simply being mischievous," the commissioner concluded, reinforcing the administration's commitment to reversing this costly economic trend.
The commissioner's remarks came during a discussion about Governor Chukwuma Soludo's recent decision to shut down the Onitsha market, underscoring the administration's broader efforts to address economic challenges stemming from the sit-at-home culture.
