16th July, 2023
The sit-at-home observed every Monday by residents in the Southeastern states of Ebonyi, Anambra, Imo and Abia reportedly cost the hapless region a whopping 144 days between January and June 2023.
The sit-at-home order was declared in the five south-eastern states by a splinter group of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), led by Simon Ekpa.
While the Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB has distanced itself from the order, many people have continued to blame the separatist group for the directive, which has led to killings and destruction of property.
SUNDAY PUNCH recalls that the sit-at-home was enforced in the region on Mondays until the Ekpa group declared a one-week sit-at-home a couple of days ago.
PUNCH’s investigation revealed that the sit-at-home had been observed for at least 31 days in Ebonyi State, 48 days in Anambra State, 28 days in Imo State and 37 days in Abia State.
The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, disclosed on Friday that within two years, the zone had lost about N4tn due to the sit-at-home.
Speaking at an event organised by the Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association in Lagos, Kalu said, “We cannot afford to retreat from our business endeavours. The stay-at-home order on Mondays has resulted in staggering losses of N4tn in the last two years in the south-east alone according to statistical data.”