Onitsha roars back to business with rain

Onitsha, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria’s South-East and South-South, witnessed its first rain in 2013 that lasted for 40 minutes on Monday.

The rain started at about 5:51 a.m. ended at about 6:30 a.m, according to a report by NAN.

It was accompanied by heavy winds some hours after the rain. The rain also reduced the dust caused by the harmattan weather that had held sway in the city. The residents described the rain as a good omen for the year.

However, Mr Leo Amoka, the Programme Manager, Anambra Agricultural Development Programme, said that it was difficult to scientifically say or prove what would happen in the year. “We need more rain to actually make a tangible comment about the weather this year.’’

Meanwhile, major markets and schools in Onitsha and its environs have resumed activities for the year. NAN correspondent who went around the metropolis, observed that the two major markets in Onitsha – Main Market and Bridge-Head Market – which were closed for over 10 days for the yuletide break, opened for business on Monday.

School pupils and their teachers were seen rushing to their various schools in the early hours of the day amidst traffic hold-ups in rural roads in Onitsha. The major roads – Onitsha-Enugu and Onitsha-Owerri roads – experienced light traffic.