Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has asserted his authority to revoke the land allocation of Onitsha Main Market and repurpose the premises for other public interest projects if necessary.

He made this statement during a meeting with leaders of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA).

According to Soludo, he possesses the legal power to revoke all market premises across the state for overriding public interest and convert them to alternative uses that serve the public good.

He explained that, for example, he could revoke the premises and construct modern schools on them or transform them into Agunechemba security offices, all in pursuit of overriding public interest.

He further stated that compensation would be paid to the original landowners of the sites where markets are situated. Anyone dissatisfied with the compensation amount could challenge it in court, but the revocation itself cannot be contested.

Speaking at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Awka, Soludo directed all Local Government Mayors to monitor market shops starting from 10 a.m. on every market day, including Mondays.

The mayors are required to document shops that remain closed and submit reports to him for appropriate action, which may include permanent closure, imposition of fines, or outright revocation of the shops.

He assured the market leaders that the state government would provide sufficient security within and around market premises to eliminate traders’ fears of insecurity and rebuild their confidence.

Soludo revealed that in 2023, the government had prepared a design to modernise Onitsha Main Market and give it a contemporary look, noting that the current market is overcrowded with shanties and illegal structures.

However, due to the absence of a suitable relocation site for the traders pending completion of the reconstruction and redesign, he decided to postpone the exercise for the time being.

He affirmed that the government will ultimately modernise the market and install modern facilities to reflect its status as the largest market in West Africa. He added, “all these our efforts are geared towards the best interest of the traders, our children and our grandchildren”.

Soludo summoned a meeting of all leaders of Onitsha Main Market for a roundtable discussion on Friday, January 30, at 11 a.m. at the Light House, New Government House, Awka. The agenda will focus on modalities for reopening the market or implementing a temporary closure to enable the modernisation exercise to begin immediately.

The meeting with ASMATA leaders was attended by prominent figures including the President-General of ASMATA, Chief Humphrey Anuna; Patron of ASMATA and President of Building Materials International Market, Ogidi, Chief Jude Nwankwo; President of Ogbaru Main Market, Chief Ndubuisi Ochiogu; Chairman of Onitsha Main Market, Chief Okpalugo; and several other market presidents and chairmen from across Anambra State.