Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has said that he has the power to cancel Onitsha Main Market's land allocation and, if needed, use the space for other public interest initiatives.

During a meeting with Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) leaders, he said this.

Soludo asserts that he has the legal authority to revoke all market premises throughout the state due to an overwhelming public interest and transform them into other uses that benefit the general public.

He clarified that, in order to further the public good, he may, for instance, revoke the land and build contemporary schools there or turn them into Agunechemba security offices.

He added that the original proprietors of the locations where markets are located would receive compensation. The revocation itself cannot be questioned, however anyone unhappy with the compensation sum may contest it in court.

Soludo instructed all Local Government Mayors to keep an eye on market businesses beginning at 10 a.m. on all market days, including Mondays, during his speech at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Awka.

In order to take appropriate action, such as permanent closure, the imposition of fines, or the outright revocation of the businesses, the mayors are expected to document shops that remain closed and submit reports to him.

In order to allay traders' fears of safety and restore their confidence, he promised the market leaders that the state government would provide adequate security both inside and outside the market premises.

Soludo disclosed that the government has created a plan in 2023 to update Onitsha Main Market and give it a more modern appearance, pointing out that the market is now overloaded with illegal buildings and shanties.

However, he chose to put the exercise on hold for the time being because there was no acceptable place for the traders to go while the rebuilding and redesign were being completed.

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”.

On Friday, January 30, at 11 a.m., Soludo called a roundtable session of all Onitsha Main Market leaders in the Light House, New Government House, Awka. The topic will centre on how to either temporarily close the market or reopen it so that the reform process may start right away.

Prominent individuals such as ASMATA President-General Humphrey Anuna, ASMATA Patron 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 throughout Anambra State attended the meeting with ASMATA leaders.