Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has ordered the immediate remodelling of the historic Onitsha Main Market, describing the decision as a “hard, but necessary” step for the state’s economic future.
The directive follows a one-week closure of the market, which the governor enforced due to traders’ continued observance of the Monday sit-at-home order.
Addressing stakeholders and traders in Awka on Friday, Governor Soludo delivered a stark assessment of the market’s decline, lamenting that the once-renowned “biggest market in West Africa” has become a shadow of its former self.
He cited decades of poor urban planning and the devastating economic impact of the sit-at-home protests as primary reasons for its current state.
Governor Soludo stated, “The Onitsha Main Market, in its current state, is no longer functional. We have done the study.
The main market is no longer what it was designed to be. It has literally died.” He recalled the market’s efficient layout in the 1970s, with wide streets and ample parking, contrasting it with the present chaos that deters customers and logistics.
The governor emphasized that leadership requires taking inconvenient steps to secure the future, framing the closure as a corrective measure to reclaim the state’s economic vitality. He revealed that the state commissioned world-renowned experts in 2023 to draft a rebuilding plan aimed at transforming the 25-hectare site into a modern commercial hub with efficient logistics.
Following the governor’s directive, the Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market, Chijioke Okpalaugo, confirmed the traders’ alignment with the government’s vision and requested a short grace period to allow members to evacuate their goods from areas marked for demolition.
The traders have chosen “Option 2” from the government’s redevelopment proposals, committing to a planned, sustainable, and globally competitive market.
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