There was an improved business atmosphere in Umuahia, the capital of Abia State on Monday and Aba, the commercial nerve of the State despite the continued sit-at-home order of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the southeast.
Our correspondent, who monitored the level of compliance of residents, reports that while major markets were still closed for businesses, other roadside markets opened for business.

The Nation reports unlike in the past, major commercial motor parks at the popular Milverton, which serves as bus terminals to major motor parks and loading bays in the commercial nerve, opened for business as passengers going to different parts were boarding the vehicles.
Though some of the park operators who pleaded not to be mentioned lamented low patronage, they stated that it was a clear departure from the past.
There was also an increase in intra-city transportation with many bus and tricycle operators recording more patronage.

Shops on some major roads, including traders of the popular School Road Spare Parts Market, opened for business with some of them seen attending to their customers and some roadside mechanics repairing some broken down vehicles.
Traders at Ehi road, Umungasi-Abayi market opened for business as well.

Our correspondent reports that some residents of Aba who were not able to go to work used the early hours of the day for their routine physical exercise activities.
Like the usual Monday, no security personnel was seen on the roads at various police stops and checkpoints, except the military personnel stationed at various locations in the commercial city.

While financial institutions are still being closed for business, some bank customers used the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) for various reasons.