Sit–At–Home Cripples Yuletide Shopping, Commercial Activities In Anambra

Partial economic and commercial activities were recorded in major cities of Anambra State on Monday as banks, markets, motor parks, business centres, petrol stations and public premises remained shut over the Monday sit-at-home.

It was gathered that the major markets, motor parks and other public places were devoid of the huge influx of human and vehicular activities recorded in the past few days as a result of the Yuletide, as the markets and motor parks were under lock and key.

The Second Niger Major and major roads across the state had scanty movement, as residents remained indoors, police operatives were seen deployed at strategic places at the River Niger head bridge while some operatives were also seen patrolling major streets in order to avoid any breakdown of law and order.

There was apprehension by travellers coming into the South-East over their safety should they embark on their journey on Monday, but the presence of policemen at the River Niger bridge doused every tension as they ensured free and safe movement of vehicles along the corridors

Our correspondent who went around the major cities of Onitsha, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and some parts of Awka, gathered that most people stayed indoors and did not go for Christmas shopping as a result of the sit-at-home.

Most residents expressed worry over their inability to make transactions at the banks’ Automated Teller Machines, ahead of Christmas Eve on Tuesday, lamenting that as a result of the development, PoS operators were exploiting the situation.

A resident of Onitsha and a businessman at the Onitsha Main Market (names withheld) while narrating his ordeal said, “Although some of us came to the market today, there is no much sales as customers did not come due to the sit-at-home. It affected full activities at the market and also affected our income.

Source:- Punchng