The bustling Uwa Mgbede Market, situated along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway in Onitsha, has been closed by the Anambra State Government due to significant concerns regarding environmental hygiene and unauthorized operations.
This market, renowned for its diverse offerings including rice, beans, pepper, tomatoes, onions, yams, fish, and meat, has been a hub of activity for both buyers and sellers.
The closure was executed by the personnel of Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra Brigade, under the leadership of Managing Director Celestine Anere. It occurred on Friday, following a series of observed infractions.
This action follows the recent closure and relocation of the popular Fruit Market along the expressway to the Ogbaru fruit market.
Anere outlined several violations that led to the market’s closure, including its unauthorized location, unsanitary conditions, blocked and littered drainage systems, illegal parking, and the abandonment of trucks on the main road.
He emphasized the importance of traders utilizing government-approved markets, which provide security and better facilities, urging them to desist from establishing unauthorized markets.
The sudden closure prompted reactions from traders, who expressed dismay over the lack of prior notice. Joseph Ukonne, a trader, highlighted the market’s longstanding presence over two decades and asserted that traders diligently maintained cleanliness by clearing drainage weekly and sweeping the area daily.
Despite such claims, the government’s enforcement actions signal a firm stance on improving sanitation standards and regulating market operations for the welfare and safety of all stakeholders.