Gov. Mbah threatens Enugu traders with shop, license revocation over sit-at-home compliance

Gov. Mbah threatens Enugu traders with shop, license revocation over sit-at-home compliance

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has issued a stern warning to traders in the region who plan to observe the sit-at-home order by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on the upcoming Monday.

He stated that those who comply with the order will face severe consequences, including losing their shops and licenses.

Governor Mbah took it upon himself to monitor compliance with his ban on the sit-at-home order by touring various parts of the state capital on Monday.

Notably, he had already ended the order a few days after taking office, effective from June 5.

He firmly believed that such orders stifled creativity, entrepreneurship, and productivity in the state, and he was determined to enforce his stance.

During his tour, Governor Mbah assured the public that adequate security measures had been put in place, leading to no incidents of attacks since the ban in June.

READ ALSO: Enugu Gov. claims N10 billion weekly losses due to IPOB’s sit-at-home order

He directed his warning towards traders in markets like Ogbete, Garki, and others, stating that closing their shops on Mondays would no longer be tolerated.

“But you know, there are also consequences for not heeding our orders. Going forward, I want to put you on notice. I will go around again on Monday next week. We are going to come with the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority to put a seal on any shop that is found locked on Monday because of the illegal sit-at-home order,” Governor Mbah declared.

“We will take it that you are not ready to do business. We are going to revoke your license. We will revoke your shop title and reallocate it to someone else who is ready to do business. This is something we must enforce with effect from Monday next week,” he warned.

Governor Mbah stressed the negative impact of the sit-at-home order on the state’s economy.

He stated that the region was losing over N10 billion every Monday due to the lack of economic activity caused by the order.

He urged the traders to reject the sit-at-home order, as it would only further marginalize the region and damage employment, the economy, and the GDP.

“The poverty that will befall us for sitting at home will kill us even faster. We are losing over N10 billion every Monday that we sit at home. Enough is enough. This foolishness must end, and it must end now. We cannot be marginalizing ourselves and still complain of marginalization. So, we must say no to sit-at-home because what it means is that we are destroying our employment, our economy, and our GDP,” Governor Mbah passionately stated.

In response to the governor’s warnings, market leaders and business owners expressed their readiness for full compliance. They assured him that they were tired of the sit-at-home order and were committed to resuming business as usual from the following Monday.

At the meeting with the Ogbete traders, President of Enugu State Amalgamated Traders Association, Comrade Stephen Aniagu, assured the governor that they had already agreed to commence full business, saying all shops would be opened from next Monday.

Also, the leader of Abakpa Nike Market, Bernard Anike, also assured the governor that they had since started complying with the ban.

Governor Mbah’s tour covered various markets and institutions in Enugu, including Spar Mall, Roban Stores at Bisalla Road, Market Square, Shoprite, Zenith Bank at Ogui Road, Celebrities, Ogbete Market, Garki Awkunanaw Market, Mayor Market, Abakpa Market, and the State Secretariat. He lauded the level of compliance he witnessed during the tour.

NAN