IPOB Sit-at-home Continues: South-east Traders, Others Lament Huge Losses

Residents in states within the South-East are groaning over the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous Folks of Biafra which they mentioned continues to cripple socio-economic actions within the area.

In Ebonyi State, like in different states within the South-East, residents have continued to obey the order regardless of the group’s announcement of its suspension on August 9, 2021. The IPOB additionally famous that the order could be noticed solely on the times its chief, Nnamdi Kanu, is to look in court docket. The Federal Authorities is prosecuting Kanu for offences bordering on treasonable felony. He’s IPOB’s chief and advocating  Igbo Nation.

That is even within the face of final Sunday’s risk by the state governor, David Umahi, to sack civil servants who did not report back to work on Mondays. However the governor’s assertion didn’t seem to maneuver the civil servants who refused to go to work. Merchants have been additionally not ignored as they refused to open their outlets. The scenario has adversely affected socioeconomic actions within the state and different states within the area.

On Monday, one in every of our correspondents, who monitored the scenario in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, noticed the closure of banks, markets, outlets and filling stations within the state. Saturday PUNCH visited one of many business banks on Afikpo Street, Abakaliki, on Monday to work together with the guards there. One among them, who spoke on situation of anonymity mentioned that he was instructed to not open the gate for anyone, together with the financial institution’s workers.

He mentioned, “I don’t know who you might be however you possibly can’t be asking me questions as a result of I used to be instructed to not open the gate for any buyer. If you wish to withdraw cash, use the ATM machine and depart. Different banks didn’t open for enterprise and why ought to we open? It’s concerning the sit-at-home and many individuals are conscious that it’s nonetheless ongoing even after it was believed to have been suspended.”

At one other financial institution on Ogoja Street, Abakaliki, it was found that the gate of the financial institution was beneath lock and key. Although a number of clients converged on the gate for transactions, no person attended to them. However an unidentified feminine who claimed to be one of many financial institution’s workers, mentioned, “There is no such thing as a level opening as we speak (Monday), when everyone seems to be conscious that the protection of everybody is just not assured. Different banks didn’t open as we speak and why ought to we open? Once more, is our security assured if we open? Who will assist us if we’re attacked for opening for enterprise?’’

Additionally, it was noticed that lots of the banks weren’t open for enterprise. On Monday, main transport companies within the state didn’t open for enterprise.  The gates of Peace Mass Transit, Jap Mass Transit, Romchi Mass Transit, Rivers Transport Firm, amongst others, have been shut.

Reacting to the event, a dealer, Mrs Olanma Mercy, who sells foodstuffs, mentioned the scenario was affecting enterprise actions within the state. Based on her, if nothing is finished to urgently tackle it, some individuals could also be pressured to enter crime.

Mercy mentioned, “The sit-at-home order has its advantages and demerits. One, it was a possibility for individuals to specific their love for Nnamdi Kanu mentioned to be preventing for Igbo Nation. However it’s worrisome for individuals to proceed to watch the order even when IPOB mentioned it had suspended it.

“The state economic system was selecting up from the harm accomplished to it by COVID-19 pandemic. However abruptly, the sit-at-home got here. We’re dropping clients and companies are declining. Monday is the primary working day of the week. Folks set targets and hopefully look ahead to attaining them. However at present, our hopes are being dashed each Monday. It’s horrible. One thing must be accomplished urgently too.”

On his half, a 35-year-old businessman and social commentator, Chika Nwogba, mentioned the scenario had destabilised financial actions within the state.

Advising that IPOB ought to use one other strategy to specific their solidarity for Kanu within the curiosity of the poor, Nwogba urged authorities in any respect ranges and stakeholders to look into the scenario to forestall breakdown of legislation and order within the South-East.

He added, “The scenario in Abakaliki, the state capital on Mondays is often horrible. As a matter of truth, financial actions are being affected negatively to the purpose that one finds it virtually laborious to purchase meals and different important commodities wanted to be used each day.

“I deal in pc equipment and I do know what I usually make on Mondays. However this has stopped suddenly. Clients are being diverted from the zone to different areas of the nation. We’re certainly dropping lots on Mondays as a individuals.

Imo residents groan beneath order

The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, famous that the sit-at-home had no impression on the residents of the state who he mentioned didn’t obey it. The governor made the assertion on August 25 whereas talking with State Home correspondents after assembly with the President, Main Normal Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on the Presidential Villa, Abuja. However for the fourth Monday working on August 30, residents of Owerri, the Imo State capital, noticed the weekly order.

Within the state, business actions are at all times grounded each Monday. Banks, markets, purchasing malls, eateries and outlets stay locked each Monday since August 9. Colleges, mechanic workshops, leisure centres and church buildings have been beneath lock and key because the announcement of the weekly sit-at-home protest by the secessionists.

Although IPOB had since August 9 suspended the weekly protest, residents of the state proceed to obey the order. Each Monday, the streets of Owerri are like a graveyard. The story is similar in Okigwe and Orlu cities. Small areas akin to Ahiara Junction, Anara market Roundabout, Umuaka market and Amaraku are at all times abandoned on Mondays.

From Douglas to Wethedral to Ikenegbu, Imo State College junction, Merchandise streets, wooden market at Aba Street and Alaba Worldwide market in Owerri, the story is similar.

The ever-busy Financial institution Street in Owerri experiences the identical growth. All of the banks closes each Monday with few residents who come for transactions getting stranded.

Imo State College, Owerri, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Federal College of Know-how, Owerri and the Alvan Ikoku Federal Faculty of Schooling, Owerri, are additionally abandoned on Mondays too.

Saturday Pressinformant noticed that solely gas stations and pharmacy outlets open for companies on Mondays however endure low patronages.

The favored Okigwe- Owerri Street, Imo State College, Owerri, Junction, the ever busy authorities Home Street about, Financial institution and Weatheral Roads are additionally often abandoned on Mondays.

The Imo State authorities and the state police command proceed to guarantee the residents to go about their lawful enterprise on Mondays. The police famous that it had the capability to guard them.

A preferred newspaper vendor on the Authorities Roundabout in Owerri, Isinwa Favour, in any other case referred to as Shege, informed one in every of our correspondents that he hardly sells on Mondays because the order began.

Isinwa mentioned, “We’re used to it. There aren’t any gross sales on Mondays nowadays. I’ve now made up my thoughts that each Monday there isn’t any enterprise. I solely come out on Mondays to sightsee. No one comes out to not discuss of shopping for papers.’’

One other enterprise proprietor in Owerri, Chukwudi Ike, mentioned that he had determined to not go anyplace on Mondays.

He mentioned that the primary Monday he went to his store after IPOB introduced the order, he didn’t make gross sales.

Residents in states within the South-East are groaning over the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous Folks of Biafra which they mentioned continues to cripple socio-economic actions within the area.

In Ebonyi State, like in different states within the South-East, residents have continued to obey the order regardless of the group’s announcement of its suspension on August 9, 2021. The IPOB additionally famous that the order could be noticed solely on the times its chief, Nnamdi Kanu, is to look in court docket. The Federal Authorities is prosecuting Kanu for offences bordering on treasonable felony. He’s IPOB’s chief and advocating Igbo Nation.

That is even within the face of final Sunday’s risk by the state governor, David Umahi, to sack civil servants who did not report back to work on Mondays. However the governor’s assertion didn’t seem to maneuver the civil servants who refused to go to work. Merchants have been additionally not ignored as they refused to open their outlets. The scenario has adversely affected socioeconomic actions within the state and different states within the area.

On Monday, one in every of our correspondents, who monitored the scenario in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, noticed the closure of banks, markets, outlets and filling stations within the state. Saturday PUNCH visited one of many business banks on Afikpo Street, Abakaliki, on Monday to work together with the guards there. One among them, who spoke on situation of anonymity mentioned that he was instructed to not open the gate for anyone, together with the financial institution’s workers.

He mentioned, “I don’t know who you might be however you possibly can’t be asking me questions as a result of I used to be instructed to not open the gate for any buyer. If you wish to withdraw cash, use the ATM machine and depart. Different banks didn’t open for enterprise and why ought to we open? It’s concerning the sit-at-home and many individuals are conscious that it’s nonetheless ongoing even after it was believed to have been suspended.”

At one other financial institution on Ogoja Street, Abakaliki, it was found that the gate of the financial institution was beneath lock and key. Although a number of clients converged on the gate for transactions, no person attended to them. However an unidentified feminine who claimed to be one of many financial institution’s workers, mentioned, “There is no such thing as a level opening as we speak (Monday), when everyone seems to be conscious that the protection of everybody is just not assured. Different banks didn’t open as we speak and why ought to we open? Once more, is our security assured if we open? Who will assist us if we’re attacked for opening for enterprise?’’

Additionally, it was noticed that lots of the banks weren’t open for enterprise. On Monday, main transport companies within the state didn’t open for enterprise. The gates of Peace Mass Transit, Jap Mass Transit, Romchi Mass Transit, Rivers Transport Firm, amongst others, have been shut.

Reacting to the event, a dealer, Mrs Olanma Mercy, who sells foodstuffs, mentioned the scenario was affecting enterprise actions within the state. Based on her, if nothing is finished to urgently tackle it, some individuals could also be pressured to enter crime.

Mercy mentioned, “The sit-at-home order has its advantages and demerits. One, it was a possibility for individuals to specific their love for Nnamdi Kanu mentioned to be preventing for Igbo Nation. However it’s worrisome for individuals to proceed to watch the order even when IPOB mentioned it had suspended it.

“The state economic system was selecting up from the harm accomplished to it by COVID-19 pandemic. However abruptly, the sit-at-home got here. We’re dropping clients and companies are declining. Monday is the primary working day of the week. Folks set targets and hopefully look ahead to attaining them. However at present, our hopes are being dashed each Monday. It’s horrible. One thing must be accomplished urgently too.”

On his half, a 35-year-old businessman and social commentator, Chika Nwogba, mentioned the scenario had destabilised financial actions within the state.

Advising that IPOB ought to use one other strategy to specific their solidarity for Kanu within the curiosity of the poor, Nwogba urged authorities in any respect ranges and stakeholders to look into the scenario to forestall breakdown of legislation and order within the South-East.

He added, “The scenario in Abakaliki, the state capital on Mondays is often horrible. As a matter of truth, financial actions are being affected negatively to the purpose that one finds it virtually laborious to purchase meals and different important commodities wanted to be used each day.

“I deal in pc equipment and I do know what I usually make on Mondays. However this has stopped all of a sudden. Clients are being diverted from the zone to different areas of the nation. We’re certainly dropping lots on Mondays as a individuals.

“In my estimation, the each Monday sit-at-home is affecting the state greater than others. It’s because there’s starvation and a excessive unemployment index within the state. Youths aren’t engaged in significant actions and as such, the order may give rise to considerably deleterious occurrences within the face of the already tremulous safety scenario within the state. When safety is standing upon a damaged foot, the economic system and the residing will endure its after results.”

One other resident within the state, Mr Eno Samuel, mentioned the scenario had adversely affected socioeconomic actions within the state.

The 37-year-old businessman famous, “We’re actually struggling and it’s one thing that individuals ought to come out and condemn in order that it could cease. Each Monday within the state we keep at residence doing nothing whereas there are numerous issues to do. This has introduced untold struggling on the individuals and we’re dropping a lot cash. How and when did we get to this sort of scenario? Clients that carry items for us to do our enterprise have been complaining and lots of of them have stopped sending items to us. That is worrisome and must be addressed.’’

The ever- busy Imo authorities Home Roundabout: Financial institution Raod space abandoned on Monday morning as residents noticed IPOB’S sit-at-home order regardless of its cancellation a fortnight in the past. Picture: Chidiebube Okeoma
Imo residents groan beneath order

The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, famous that the sit-at-home had no impression on the residents of the state who he mentioned didn’t obey it. The governor made the assertion on August 25 whereas talking with State Home correspondents after assembly with the President, Main Normal Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on the Presidential Villa, Abuja. However for the fourth Monday working on August 30, residents of Owerri, the Imo State capital, noticed the weekly order.

Within the state, business actions are at all times grounded each Monday. Banks, markets, purchasing malls, eateries and outlets stay locked each Monday since August 9. Colleges, mechanic workshops, leisure centres and church buildings have been beneath lock and key because the announcement of the weekly sit-at-home protest by the secessionists.

Although IPOB had since August 9 suspended the weekly protest, residents of the state proceed to obey the order. Each Monday, the streets of Owerri are like a graveyard. The story is similar in Okigwe and Orlu cities. Small areas akin to Ahiara Junction, Anara market Roundabout, Umuaka market and Amaraku are at all times abandoned on Mondays.

From Douglas to Wethedral to Ikenegbu, Imo State College junction, Merchandise streets, wooden market at Aba Street and Alaba Worldwide market in Owerri, the story is similar.

The ever-busy Financial institution Street in Owerri experiences the identical growth. All of the banks closes each Monday with few residents who come for transactions getting stranded.

Imo State College, Owerri, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, Federal College of Know-how, Owerri and the Alvan Ikoku Federal Faculty of Schooling, Owerri, are additionally abandoned on Mondays too.

Saturday PUNCH noticed that solely gas stations and pharmacy outlets open for companies on Mondays however endure low patronages.

The favored Okigwe- Owerri Street, Imo State College, Owerri, Junction, the ever busy authorities Home Street about, Financial institution and Weatheral Roads are additionally often abandoned on Mondays.

The Imo State authorities and the state police command proceed to guarantee the residents to go about their lawful enterprise on Mondays. The police famous that it had the capability to guard them.

A preferred newspaper vendor on the Authorities Roundabout in Owerri, Isinwa Favour, in any other case referred to as Shege, informed one in every of our correspondents that he hardly sells on Mondays because the order began.

Isinwa mentioned, “We’re used to it. There aren’t any gross sales on Mondays nowadays. I’ve now made up my thoughts that each Monday there isn’t any enterprise. I solely come out on Mondays to sightsee. No one comes out to not discuss of shopping for papers.’’

One other enterprise proprietor in Owerri, Chukwudi Ike, mentioned that he had determined to not go anyplace on Mondays.

He mentioned that the primary Monday he went to his store after IPOB introduced the order, he didn’t make gross sales.

Ike, who sells feminine wares at Okigwe Street, mentioned, “I don’t come out on Mondays as a result of the primary day I did it, I ended up promoting something. Nowadays, I keep residence with my household as a result of it has come to remain. The sit-at-home has crippled the economic system of the state. Every Monday, we’re confronted with the weird actuality that there is not going to be any enterprise.

“Like a joke, it has turn into a actuality. The economic system is shrinking and companies are taking place. Authorities is dropping income and traders aren’t coming. This isn’t one of the simplest ways to indicate grievances. We will’t be destroying our economic system. The quantity we lose each Monday is unimaginable. That is unlucky.”

Order sustained in Enugu

In Enugu State the place residents additionally nonetheless obey the IPOB sit-at-home regardless of its suspension, a number of the individuals condemned it whereas others felt it was a obligatory sacrifice for freedom even because it’s affecting socio-economic actions.

Biafra, he claimed that there was nothing that the Igbo would try this wouldn’t have an effect on everyone within the nation.

“Day-after-day that there’s sit-at-home and is noticed within the South- East, it’ll have an effect on merchants within the North much more than the southerners as a result of a lot of the meat, tomatoes, yam and wears, together with farm produce that come from the North will probably be stalled. The vans can’t be introduced into the South-East each Monday that the sit-at-home is noticed. What occurs to perishable items introduced into the area anytime the order can’t be quantified. It impacts everyone, even in some locations in Lagos and Abuja, some Igbo observe the order by not opening their outlets. Different areas are affected likewise the South-East.’’

In his opinion, a dealer at Ogbete Principal Market, Dennis Ojobor, described the order because the worst factor that might occur to the Igbo no matter divergent opinions on it.

Anambra not excluded

Regardless of the suspension of the order, individuals in Anambra State proceed to obey it both out of worry or solidarity for the secessionists.