Sit-at-home: Anambra residents lament boredom, losses  

Anambra State, traders, shop owners and transport operators have lamented that

Monday sit-at-home had become boring, unattractive, wasteful and economically affecting them.

However, some office workers expressed happiness that the day had become a resting day for them.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which declared the exercise, had long announced its cancellation, but the people had continued to observe it for fear of being attacked, especially as hoodlums were using the period to unleash terror on the residents.

While shops, banks, offices, filling stations, motor parks and markets remained shut on Monday, the residents were seen gathered in various groups in the streets while holding meetings.

In recent times, residents of the state have converted the day as a period of their town’s union and club meetings.

Our correspondent observed that even as commercial activities were gradually returning to Awka, the state capital, there were still sketchy vehicular movements on the roads.

But in Onitsha, Ekwulobia, Nnewi, Oba and Obosi, it was observed that the situation was tight as shops and market places were under lock and key.

A trader in Onitsha, who gave his name as Chinedu Oza, called on the relevant authorities to intensify efforts toward putting a final stop at the exercise.

Oza said, “We are losing serious income every Monday. Apart from that, our customers that come from other states outside the South-East now patronise neighbouring markets and it is not good for us. These people should realise that Monday is a serious day for business and stop this senseless exercise that is not doing the region any good.”

An automobile spare parts importer, identified as Striker, said, “The people are becoming angry over this senseless staying at home and we are glad that the state is making appreciable progress in terms of security, unlike what it used to be some weeks ago.

“A lot of shops and businesses have gone down as a result of hoodlums unleashing terror on the people in the name of enforcing the sit-at-home. If the security stability continues like this, the sit-at-home will soon be a thing of the past.”

While speaking to journalists, the state Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, said bringing an end to the exercise was a gradual process.

According to Nwosu, the major problem with some people was fear. Despite the fact that the governor had assured people of full security, the people continued to observe it.

(Punch)