{"id":151083,"date":"2025-02-17T16:17:47","date_gmt":"2025-02-17T15:17:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/uncategorized\/head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets"},"modified":"2025-02-20T16:45:37","modified_gmt":"2025-02-20T15:45:37","slug":"head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/economy\/head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets","title":{"rendered":"Head Bridge Market: Peter Obi calls for reopening of neighbouring markets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Nigeria. <\/strong><\/span>Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, has questioned the continuous closure of the Head Bridge market over suspected trading in illegal drugs within one section of the market.<\/p>\n

Obi expressed worry that shutting down other neighboring markets not involved in addition to the popular drug market seems excessive and unjustified.<\/p>\n

He, however, appealed for their immediate reopening, insisting that their continued closure is severely affecting the livelihoods of millions.<\/p>\n

In a post on his X handle on Monday, the former Anambra state Governor said the current strategy should be reconsidered to prevent undue hardship on traders, their families, and the state\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cClosure of Head Bridge Market: A Call for reconsideration of position<\/p>\n

\u201cThe entire Head Bridge Market in Onitsha has been closed by regulatory and security agencies due to suspected trading in illegal drugs within one section of the market known as Ogbo Ogwu.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile one unequivocally condemns such illicit drug trading activities and urges the government to take all necessary measures to eradicate the sale of fake items\u2014especially drugs\u2014and legally prosecute the perpetrators for the health and safety of society, my concern and appeal are for the immediate reopening of neighbouring markets that were also collaterally affected by the closure.<\/p>\n

\u201cShutting down other neighboring markets not involved in addition to the Ogbo Ogwu Market such as Rod, Allied and Tools, Plumbing Materials, Timber, Surgical, and Provision Markets seems excessive and unjustified<\/p>\n

\u201cI therefore appeal for their immediate reopening, as their continued closure is severely affecting the livelihoods of millions, especially during this difficult period in our country.<\/p>\n

\u201cFurthermore, the search should be conducted transparently, with store owners present while their shops are inspected and items removed by the law and due process.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf the goal is to conduct a legitimate search, why extend the closure to other markets? What are their offences?<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring my tenure as Governor of Anambra state, we faced similar situations multiple times.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever we encountered public health threats, we addressed them collaboratively and methodically with the relevant agencies. In cases requiring market interventions, we worked closely with regulatory authorities and security agencies, ensuring fairness and due process.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis approach prevented unnecessary disruptions and safeguarded livelihoods.<\/p>\n

\u201dThe current strategy should be reconsidered to prevent undue hardship on traders, their families, and the state\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cA more balanced and transparent approach will enhance both security and economic stability.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile pursuing the end of enhanced public health, we should not lose sight of the collateral economic effects of adjacent market closures should be kept in view always. -PO\u201d<\/p>\n

For More News And Analysis About Nigeria<\/span> Follow Africa-Press<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Nigeria. Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, has questioned the continuous closure of the Head Bridge market over suspected trading in illegal drugs within one section of the market. Obi expressed worry that shutting down other neighboring markets not involved in addition to the popular drug market seems […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":151082,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,15],"tags":[15801,254,222],"class_list":["post-151083","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-economy","tag-head-bridge-market","tag-nigeria","tag-peter-obi"],"yoast_head":"\nHead Bridge Market: Peter Obi calls for reopening of neighbouring markets - Nigeria<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, has questioned the continuous closure of the Head B ...\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/economy\/head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Head Bridge Market: Peter Obi calls for reopening of neighbouring markets\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, has questioned the continuous closure of the Head B ...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/economy\/head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Nigeria\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-17T15:17:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-20T15:45:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/static.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/sm_1739799328.689692.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"854\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"cfeditoren\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"cfeditoren\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/economy\/head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/economy\/head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"cfeditoren\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/#\/schema\/person\/068c7ab4e9634ae78ec5d54ec46598bb\"},\"headline\":\"Head Bridge Market: Peter Obi calls for reopening of neighbouring markets\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-02-17T15:17:47+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-20T15:45:37+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/economy\/head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets\"},\"wordCount\":455,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/economy\/head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/static.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/sites\/3\/2025\/02\/sm_1739799328.689692.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Head Bridge Market\",\"Nigeria\",\"Peter Obi\"],\"articleSection\":[\"all news\",\"Economy\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/economy\/head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/economy\/head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/nigeria\/economy\/head-bridge-market-peter-obi-calls-for-reopening-of-neighbouring-markets\",\"name\":\"Head Bridge Market: Peter Obi calls for reopening of neighbouring markets - 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