2 Banks, Over 100 Shops Sealed For Defying Govt’s Directives
The Enugu State Government on Monday sealed up over 100 shops and 2 banks within Enugu metropolis for defying her order by obeying the illegal sit-at-home order already cancelled by the state government.
Speaking to newsmen after the exercise, Mr. Gideon Onyia Officer in-charge of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority, ECTDA, disclosed that 78 shops were sealed at Ogbete Market, 5 shops at SPAR and 24 shops at Old Artisan Markets.
Also sealed up is Eco bank and Fidelity bank Ogbete Main Market branch; although Eastern Shop was initially sealed up, it was almost immediately unsealed because the workers got to their shop premises on time with an excuse of delay caused by transportation difficulty.
The task force team led by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia comprises of staff of the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Agency (ECTDA), security personnel among others.
Representing the State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, accompanied by the Principal Secretary, Government House, Ken Chukwuegbo, described adhering to the sit-at-home order as senseless as it negates the industrious life the Igbo people are known for.
The shop sealing exercise he revealed will be a continuous one so as to serve as a deterrent to any who may want to flout the Governor’s directive.
“It is not a punitive measure but necessary to instill ownership culture where all of us come together to fight the menace of illegal sit-at-home in the state,” SSG said.
“Dr Peter Mbah is not in any way trying to stop the economic growth of these shop owners but the fight is against those that think they can intimidate us.”
He further stated that the State Government has kept her part of the bargain by providing adequate security for the lives and properties of the people and provided buses at specific places to convey workers to State Secretariat as the state was tired of losing significant revenue by working only four days a week.
Some businessmen interviewed during the exercise acknowledged that Monday business had been almost nonexistent as they record very low patronage despite paying heavily on transportation on Mondays amid fear of being attacked by unknown gunmen.
Mr. Marcel Okeke a trader however called on the government to keep providing adequate security in and around the market so as to encourage customers to come to market and patronize them.
Recall that the state government on 17th of July 2023 issued a final warning to shop owners within Enugu metropolis to shun the illegal sit-at-home order and open to business every Monday or risk their shops and business premises sealed up.
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