Markets in Owerri, the Imo State capital, are still thriving despite the lockdown announced by the state government to contain the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.
From the famous Ekeonunwa, otherwise called Ekeukwu market, to Relief Market, Ihiagwa, Nkworji, down to Ihiagwa and Amakohia night market, it is business as usual, as both buyers and sellers appear to be oblivious of the realities on ground.
Although the state has not recorded any COVID-19 case, Governor Hope Uzodimma had, on March 28, 2020, ordered a complete lockdown of the state as part of measures to prevent the state from recording any case of the dreaded disease.
He ordered that all markets be closed indefinitely and prohibited all forms of marriage ceremonies.
On April 18, the governor imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on the state after signing an Executive Order 001.
The curfew, which involved closing all borders into the state from 6pm to 6am, would be indefinite.
However, residents appear to go about their normal businesses unhindered.
Checks carried out indicated that although security agents were deployed to various points to enforce the order, residents still manoeuvre their ways to do their normal businesses.
While most markets thrive, public transportation still operates, although at a minimal level.
