Anambra to close markets, roads, for Jonathan

On August 30, when President Goodluck Jonathan visits Anambra state, various economic activities will be shut down.

The Anambra State Government has ordered the closure of four major markets in the state during the planned visit of President Goodluck Jonathan, scheduled for Thursday, August 30.

The Onitsha main market in Onitsha North and three other markets will be closed to accommodate the president’s visit, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Joe-Martins Uzodike, said, on Tuesday, in Awka, the state capital.

“All markets in Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Ogbaru and Idemili North local government areas shall be closed between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday August 30,” Mr. Uzodike said. “This is to pave way for easy flow of traffic during the president’s visit in the areas.”

The commissioner said the decision was taken to forestall any security breach.

Apart from not being able to go to the market, residents of the affected areas would also suffer restriction of vehicular movement between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the day of the visit.

Mr. Uzodike appealed to the traders, transport operators, and residents to regard the measure as a necessary sacrifice for the betterment of the state.

According to him, the President’s visit will pave way for the creation of 5,000 jobs and also change the fortune of the state in many other ways.

While in Anambra, Mr. Jonathan is expected to inaugurate or commission projects such as the Orient Petroleum Oil, SABMiller Brewery, Orange Drugs Company, Krisoral Company and the Onitsha Inland port.

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The governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, had said that the President would inaugurate projects, executed by both the private sector and his administration, during the visit.

The Onitsha Bridge head gate will also be renamed after Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, the late Biafra leader, when Mr. Jonathan visits the state.