Enugu Residents protest sit-at-home

The Enugu state government has begun sealing shops if business owners who ibey the sit-at-home order.This was as residents of Enugu State on Monday trooped out and marched around the streets of the state capital in protest against the continued Monday sit-at-home in the state.This came as the State Government on Monday moved around parts of the state capital and sealed businesses that continued to obey IPOB’s sit-at-homeGovernor Peter Mbah on June 5 banned Monday’s sit-at-home in the state and urged residents to go about their legitimate duties. He also improved security around the state.On Monday, however, as early as 8 am, the residents gathered under the auspices of a Coalition of Civil Society groups and marched around the state capital to encourage the people to return to their Monday businesses.The protesters, led by their coordinators, Oninye Mammah, Bismark Oji, Charles Ogbu, Eberechukwu Anigbo, carried banners with inscriptions such as: ”Enough is Enough”; “Say no to Sit at Home in Enugu” and “Enugu people must be freed from the shackles of those who want to hold it down” among others.They also sang solidarity songs in support of Governor Mbah and against the sit-at-home as they marched through major roads and streets and converged on Michael Okpara Square.Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Enugu chapter, Rev Emmanuel Ede, described the protest march as “heartwarming”, saying it was an indication that residents were no longer comfortable with the forced sit-at-home every Monday in the state.Mrs Onyinye Mammah, the Executive Director, Heroine Women Foundation, who spoke on behalf of the coordinators, explained that they decided to take the bold initiative, following the devastating effect the continued Monday sit-at-home has had on the economy of the state and the Southeast region as a whole.Officials of the Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA) moved around parts of the State on Monday and sealed businesses that refused to open in compliance with an earlier order of the governor.Our correspondent, who monitored the development, observed that some shops were “sealed with immediate effect” at the Spar and Polo Malls among other places that refused to obey the directive to open for business. The development led to activities getting at their full gear in the major markets in the state as traders rushed to open their shops for businesses.The Ogbete main market, New Market, Kenyetta and Artisan markets opened with several traders.Also, there were improved vehicular movements in the city centre as security checkpoints increased with soldiers, DSS and Mobile Police Officers manning them.