Governor Soludo Mandates Urgent Overhaul of Onitsha Main Market
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has issued a directive for the immediate remodelling of the historic Onitsha Main Market, characterizing this decision as a "hard, but necessary" measure. This announcement follows the market's recent closure for one full week, a move intended to address what the governor described as severe deterioration at the once-thriving commercial center.
Market in a State of Collapse
Speaking to traders and stakeholders at the Light House in Awka on Friday, January 30, Governor Soludo painted a stark picture of the market's current condition. He lamented that the facility, often hailed as West Africa's largest market, has suffered a dramatic decline and is now "literally dead." The governor attributed this downfall to multiple factors:
- Decades of poor urban planning that compromised the original efficient layout
- The devastating economic impact of the Monday sit-at-home order across the South-East region
- Loss of critical infrastructure like wide streets and massive parking spaces
Soludo recalled the market's glory days in the late 1970s, when trucks could drive directly into the market and ample parking was available for shoppers. "If people cannot park, they cannot shop," he emphasized, highlighting how congestion has crippled commercial activity.
Economic Consequences and Government Response
The governor revealed alarming statistics about the market's decline. Since the sit-at-home practice began, the market has effectively been shut for more than 260 days, resulting in weekly losses amounting to billions of naira. This has driven customers to alternative markets in neighboring states, further eroding Anambra's economic vitality.
"Leadership requires taking inconvenient steps to secure the future," Soludo declared. "The closure of the market is a corrective measure to reclaim the state's economic life." He explained that the state government had commissioned world-renowned experts in 2023 to design a comprehensive rebuilding plan for the 25-hectare market site, emphasizing that modern commerce depends on efficient logistics rather than congested stalls.
Traders' Response and Appeal
Reacting to the governor's directive, the Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalaugo, expressed cautious support for the government's vision. He confirmed that market leadership and traders have officially selected 'Option 2' from the government's revitalization proposals as their preferred path forward.
"We recognize that leadership requires difficult choices," Okpalaugo stated. "We accept this path for the ultimate good of ndị Anambra and the survival of our iconic market. We are committed to the vision of a planned, sustainable, and accessible market that can once again compete on a global stage."
However, the market chairman made a specific appeal to Governor Soludo: "We humbly appeal for a short grace period to allow our members to safely evacuate their goods and wares from areas designated as illegal structures before enforcement and demolition commence."
Background and Enforcement Measures
The governor had previously ordered the one-week market closure after traders failed to comply with the state's directive to ignore the Monday sit-at-home order. Soludo warned that this shutdown could be extended if non-compliance persists. Security agencies have already sealed the market to enforce the directive, described as part of ongoing efforts to reclaim economic life in the South-East region.
This remodelling initiative aligns with Governor Soludo's manifesto commitment to create planned, sustainable markets, communities, and cities across Anambra State. The comprehensive approach aims to transform what was once West Africa's premier commercial hub into a modern, functional marketplace capable of driving economic revival in the region.
