Anambra Seals Ogidi Market Over Alleged ₦100m Revenue Debt, Reopens Hours Later

The Anambra State Government has sealed the Synthe-Fabric Dealers Association Market in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area, over an alleged ₦100 million outstanding Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) debt.

The market was reportedly shut by the State Coordinator, Market-Traders Payment Compliance, Hon. Chike Udoji, following allegations that the market had failed to remit accrued revenue for about five years.

Udoji explained that the privately owned market is expected to pay an annual stallage levy of ₦17,500 per shop, compared with ₦30,000 payable by shops in public markets.

The development sparked reactions from market stakeholders, with the Chairman of Haruna Market, Onitsha, Chief Emmanuel Idoko, expressing surprise that such a huge debt could accumulate within five years.

He questioned how government could generate funds for infrastructure and other development projects if markets failed to meet their revenue obligations.

However, the closure did not last long.

The market was reopened hours later following an intervention by the President-General of the Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, Chief Humphrey Anuna.

Market leaders reportedly agreed to offset the outstanding debt, while a closed-door meeting is underway to resolve the revenue dispute.

The meeting is also expected to address reported disagreements among factions within the market, with sources suggesting that the internal crisis may have contributed to the prolonged non-payment of government revenue.

The development highlights the growing emphasis on revenue compliance as the Anambra State Government seeks to strengthen its internally generated revenue base.

₦100 million debt, market shutdown and a quick intervention. What is really happening inside Ogidi’s Synthe-Fabric Market?