Governor Hope Uzodimma’s shut-down order on markets and other socio-economic activities witnessed has witnessed very impressive compliance by traders and general public within the Imo State capital.
On Monday, the teams monitoring the various market locations since Sunday witnessed that the popular Ekeukwu market in the heart of Owerri was largely deserted, with only pockets of street traders at Ekeonunwa and School Road axis.
The entire Douglas Road, usually over-run by street traders was also devoid of any trading activity, with the doors of most shops lining the Road firmly shut.
Towards Orji axis, there was total compliance up to the traditional Nkwo-Orji market which was totally empty as convoys of combined Security Teams patrolled the area. Even shops along the stretch of Okigwe Road to Obilubi Mbieri in the neighboring Mbaitoli Local Government Area were all under lock and key, including major Super Markets and Eateries.
The same scenario played out at Egbeada Main Market along Orlu road axis which was fully shut, while contrastingly, the Amakohia mini-market, a centre for food stuff was booming.
However, upon getting wind of imminent raid by the enforcement team, the traders scampered away, many abandoning their wares.
It will be recalled that Governor Uzodimma made a state-wide broadcast on Saturday in which he outlined further strategies in the fight against COVID-19, including closure of markets across the state.
With the wave of on-going awareness campaigns, on various Media platforms, Imo citizens are coming to terms with the danger posed by the dreaded Corona virus disease and the need to comply with government’s preventive guidelines.