From Maurice Okafor, Enugu.
The Enugu State Government at the weekend reiterrated it’s resolve to end the illegal sit-at home every Monday in the state, threatening to sanction civil servants who fail to report to their duty posts, traders who fail to open their shops, financial institutions, schools and other sectors that did not open for their normal business.
A Public service announcement signed by Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government, issued on Saturday,July 22. in Enugu states,
“The Enugu State Government wishes to remind the good people and residents of the state that the ban on the illegal Monday sit-at-home order remains effective.
“In view of this, civil servants, schools, markets, financial institutions, business premises, and others, are hereby directed to resume normal activities on Monday.”
He cautioned,“Markets that fail to open to customers on Monday shall be shut down indefinitely and shops in the markets that close on Monday shall be sealed and re-allocated to those eager to do business in the state.
“Government extends the same warning of sanctions against schools, financial institutions, shopping malls, department stores, business premises, and others that may defy its directive,” he said.
Onyia further reiterated that the illegal sit-at-home order was totally at odds with the Igbo spirit of industry, hardwork, enterprise, productivity and creativity.
“Therefore, general public is urged to go about their normal daily activities as adequate security measures have been put in place to protect lives and property”.
It could be recalled that Governor Mbah who initiated the policy to end the over 20 months sit-at- home in Enugu state, at a town hall meeting with stakeholders lamented the state is loosing ten billion naira every Monday and it must be stopped,if the GDP of the state must be raised from the current 4.4.billion dollars per month to 30 billion dollars expectation by his administration.
