Governor Nyesom Wike, has ordered the re-opening of the Oil Mill market, more than a year after the market was shut down amidst the COVID-19 in March 2020.
The Oil Mill market is one of the biggest markets in Rivers where people from the neighboring states like Abia bring goods such as textiles to sell. The market is populated mainly on Wednesdays
Governor Wike in March 2020 shut down all markets in the state to reduce the spread of COVID-19. He later reopened all the markets except the Oil Mill and the Oginigba Slaughter markets.
Traders of these markets reported that the impact of the closure on their businesses as life became more difficult. Some traders had just paid for their shop rents before the markets were suddenly shut down.
However, the government is yet to reopen the Oginiba Slaughter market, with Wike recently disclosing that the market will be relocated soon.
