Protest Rocks Enugu as Govt Seals Shops over Sit-at-home Exercise

Gideon Arinze in Enugu

A protest has rocked Enugu, Enugu State, following the decision of the state government to seal shops belonging to business owners who refused to come out for business on July 24.

The state Governor, Peter Mbah, had since June 5 banned Monday sit-at-home exercise in the state, urging residents to go about their legitimate duties on that day.

During the monitoring of the compliance to his directive in several major markets and government offices last Monday,  he expressed displeasure that a good number of the residents still stayed at home. The governor also threatened to seal shops and institutions that refused to open.

On July 24, the state government sealed at least 100 shops belonging to business owners who refused to come out as well as two banks.

In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chidiebere Onyia, said 106 shops and two banks were sealed by the officials of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority in line with the governor’s order.

He said Mbah’s intention was not to punish businesses but to encourage and inculcate the spirit of ‘no sit-at-home’ in traders.

However, yesterday morning, aggrieved traders in Ognete, the state’s main market, took to the streets to express their displeasure over the government’s decision to lock up their shops for one week.

The protesters, who were seen carrying sticks and chanting songs, said sealing their shops would add to the sufferings already being experienced as a result of the current economic realities in the country.

They also said the government’s decision was not the best way to encourage owners of businesses, adding that ending the Monday sit-at-home should be a gradual process.

At the time of this report, a yet-to-be-identified man was reportedly killed as security operatives were said to be shooting sporadically.