Nine Nigerian traders have been arrested for allegedly defying the government’s directive to close non-essential businesses during the National Two-Day Flood Aftermath Clean-up Exercise.
The traders were arrested on Friday after they opened their shops at the Kotokuraba Market in Cape Coast despite the temporary closure order. Their goods were also confiscated by authorities.
The affected shops included phone repair outlets and mobile phone shops.
Officials supervising the exercise reportedly criticised the traders for what they described as a disregard for the government’s directive, which was aimed at ensuring maximum participation in the nationwide clean-up campaign.
The arrests formed part of measures to enforce compliance with the exercise, which is being carried out across seven flood-affected regions following the recent devastating floods.
Under the implementation arrangements announced by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, shops, markets, commercial establishments, corporate organisations and other non-essential businesses in the affected regions were directed to remain closed from 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11.
The National Clean-up Exercise was organised to clear debris, desilt drains and restore sanitation in communities affected by the floods.
