Sit-at-home ban: Enugu govt gives tough conditions to reopen sealed businesses

The Enugu State Government, on Tuesday, announced that all the shops and businesses sealed for not opening on Mondays, would remain closed for one week.

Newsmen reports that the State Government yesterday, Monday, made real its threat to seal any business outfit that complied with the regular Monday sit-at-home.

In a statement signed by Professor Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to the State Government, the government said the affected shops would not be considered for re-opening until the owners produced tax clearance certificates and other relevant documents.

Onyi said, “The Enugu State Government wishes to commend civil society organisations and residents that took ownership of government’s ban on illegal sit-at-home orders by embarking on peaceful demonstrations in the capital city yesterday. Government commends the participants for their peaceful conduct throughout the demonstrations.

“In previous announcements to the good people and residents of Enugu State, the government had directed business and shop owners to open for normal businesses on Monday and every work day, or have the defaulting business premises and shops sealed. That was exactly what the government did on Monday, July 24, 2023, to enforce its earlier directives.

“All businesses that were sealed shall remain sealed for one week, at the end of which they shall provide their current tax clearance certificates and all other relevant revenue documents to enable the state government to review and consider their formal letters for re-opening.

“Again, all considerations start from Friday, July 28, 2023 from 2.00 pm at the Enugu State Capital Development Authority (ECTDA) headquarters.”