By: Tunde Henry
“I have approved for a phased and gradual easing measures in FCT, Lagos and Ogun States effective as from Monday, 4th May, 2020.”
The above statement was made by President Muhammadu Buhari, on the April 27 during his address to the nation after the aforementioned states have been on a total lockdown since March 30. Nigerians believed the relaxation of the lockdown amidst the spiking figures was as a result of the intense pressure being mounted on the Federal Government (FG) as many citizens were getting restive due to hunger and inadequate palliatives.
Also, Ghana lifted the lockdown on its two biggest cities, Accra and Kumasi on Monday, April 20 as non-essential businesses are now allowed to open and citizens have been encouraged to wear face masks.
As the Federal Government eases the lockdown, Nigeria joins other African countries including Egypt, Rwanda, South Africa and Tunisia. However, this has led to a spike in the confirmed cases of coronavirus.
The Nigerian Medical Association was against the decision of the FG to relax the stay-home-order.
It described the development as premature which can potentially expose more Nigerians to coronavirus infection as many they blatantly disregarded the guidelines issued by the government.
Lagos records for over 2000 COVID-19 cases and many people have been reported to care less about the community transmission of the virus despite the guidelines issued by the Lagos State government after the relaxation of the lockdown.
Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the State governor registered his disappointment on the level of violation of the guidelines on his twitter handle and commented that “low compliance with the guidelines by operators of commercial buses and flouting of the directives by the commercial motorcycles will not be tolerated as the security agencies have been directed to confiscate any motocycle flouting the rules.” He added that face masks are absolutely mandatory in public spaces.
He also cautioned the people that the state will revert to its total lockdown if the people continue to disregard the health guidelines. As there have been several disturbing reports on violations of the health guidelines in several banks and other public places.
Furthermore, regardless of the FG ban on non-essential interstate travel, people still move from one state to another. The FG categorically stated that only partial and controlled interstate movement of goods and services will be allowed for the movement of goods and services from producers to consumers. People have been reported to travel shunning the FG directives. Even the security agencies have been accused of aiding the breaches as drivers can bribe their way through due to the ingrained corruption in our law enforcement agencies and the gross indiscipline within the system.
Lagos State being the Africa’s 5th largest economy and the nation’s centre of commence has suffered a huge loss amidst its five weeks lockdown. The State economy with a GDP estimated to be over $91 billion has greatly suffered a huge setback as people were kept off their jobs. Even President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged this “very huge economic cost” of the lockdown, in his speech to ease the lockdown.
Lagos being the epicenter of the virus has witnessed a spike in the COVID-19 cases just after the relaxation of the lockdown but in the past few days, the cases have been dwindling. Could this be attributed to the adherence of people to the strict guidelines issued by the State government?
If we continue to observe these strict measures and obey the health and safety guidelines, we will be able to limit the spread of the virus and our lives will return back to normal. It is pertinent every resident of the state needs to take responsibility for their health and well-being by doing the right things.
