Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, on Thursday said he has the constitutional power to revoke the land occupied by markets in the state, including the Onitsha Main Market, and convert such premises to other public uses, including schools, if the need arises.

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

According to the governor, the law empowers him to revoke market lands for overriding public interest and repurpose them for other uses that also serve the public interest.

“For instance, I can revoke the premises and decide to build a modern school on it, or convert it to Agunechemba security offices. All these fall under overriding public interest,” he said.

He explained that while the government is obligated to pay compensation to the original landowners, such compensation can only be contested in court in terms of valuation, not the act of revocation itself.

Addressing the sit-at-home challenge and poor market patronage, Soludo directed all local government mayors to begin monitoring market activities from 10 a.m. on every market day, including Mondays.

He said records would be taken of shops that fail to open for business, adding that defaulters could face sanctions ranging from fines and permanent closure to outright revocation of shop spaces.

The governor, however, assured traders of adequate security in and around market areas, stating that the government is committed to addressing security concerns and restoring traders’ confidence.

Soludo further disclosed that the state government had, in 2023, developed plans to redesign the Onitsha Main Market into a modern facility, lamenting that the market is currently overcrowded with shanties and illegal structures.

He said the plan was temporarily suspended due to the absence of a suitable relocation site for traders during the reconstruction period.

“The market will eventually be modernised and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to reflect its status as the largest market in West Africa,” Soludo said.

“All these efforts are in the best interest of the traders, our children, and future generations.”

The governor also summoned a meeting of all leaders of the Onitsha Main Market for Friday, January 30, at 11 a.m., at the Lighthouse, New Government House, Awka, to deliberate on modalities for reopening the market or its temporary closure to allow the modernisation exercise to commence.

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