MARKET SHUTDOWN AND INSINCERITY IN THE DISBURSEMENT OF RELIEF MATERIALS: THE BANE OF STAY-AT-HOME.
As part of the measure to contain or stop the spread of Covid-19, some State Governors in Nigeria ordered the closure of all markets in their states except sellers of food and medicine, medical equipments and other essential life-saving products. So, traders were forced to shut down their businesses in compliance with government directives.
Recall, the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma ordered the closure of major markets in the state on Saturday, March 28, 2020. Similarly, his counterpart in Anambra State, H.E. Governor Willie Obiano did same after two days- Monday, March 30, 2020. Other Governors in South Eastern states and South Southern States also came up with various dates for the "lockdown" based on their peculiarities. They insisted that they would enforce compliance.
Having deprived the common man their sources of livelihood, there was no adequate measures in place to ameliorate their sufferings. They promised to provide palliatives so as to cushion the sufferings of the masses, these materials were in short supply and hijacked in some areas. So, the Governors are encouraged to roll out more of these palliatives and political considerations should not inform the choice of the beneficiaries.
Since the Governors are enforcing the lockdown, they should also enforce the implementation of the new PMS (Petrol) pump price in their various states which has now be reduced to #123.50k by the Federal Government. They should also look into the power sector and see what they can do to ensure adequate power supply especially this period they've asked their people to stay-at-home.
The Governors should not consider this short term economic palliatives as "favours". The palliatives should be evenly distributed and should be devoid of political affiliations. They are also advised to be transparent, sincere and sensitive to the plight and sufferings of their people, otherwise, they will be seen as feeding with tax payers money while the real tax payers and their families are left to languish in poverty.
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