Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano has ordered that the Mondays sit-at-home order declared by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) should not be observed in the state again.
The governor has, therefore, asked banks, traders, transporters and all citizens resident in the state to commence economic activities and to go about their business from Monday, September 13.
A statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Don Adinuba, said the governor’s order followed discussions with security agents and relevant stakeholders in the state.
The statement reads in part, ”All markets as well as motor parks and commercial vehicles are henceforth to operate fully every Monday and any other weekday except any day declared work-free by the appropriate authorities.
“Before Governor Willie Obiano led a meeting yesterday between heads of security agencies and bank executives in the state, including those from the Awka branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria, he had personally held frank and rewarding discussions with a large spectrum of leaders of the transport union and market association in Anambra State on why they had for the past five weeks been shutting down their businesses every Monday.
“It is axiomatic that the good people of Anambra State and, indeed, the Southeast have for the past five weeks been grappling with a vicious cycle on a grand scale. Some pupils have missed terminal examinations, with all the grave implications for the competitiveness of the youngsters and for the future of our state.
“Since no responsible government can stand akimbo while the future of its people is destroyed gratuitously, Governor Obiano held useful discussions in the last couple of days with relevant groups with a view to freeing members to pursue their legitimate businesses.
“After all, the leadership of the organization on whose instructions some persons claim to enforce the stay-at-home order has since rescinded the order.
“The Anambra State Government directive to banks, traders, transporters, other groups and individuals to resume full economic activity throughout the week with effect from Monday, September 13, 2021, was informed by the yearnings of these stakeholders.”
Governor Obiano asked the people not be afraid of anybody molesting them, saying that there is adequate security across the state on Monday and throughout the week to ensure their safety.
IPOB issued the order to protest the rearrest of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu but has since announced its suspension.
However, the sit-at-home order is still being observed in Anambra and the other South-East states with many people reportedly being attacked and sometimes killed for refusing to observe the order.