Coronavirus: Starvation Looms, As LASG Orders Closure Of Major Markets

By Akinwale Kasali

Move away, COVID-19, hunger and starvation, in Nigeria, will be the fastest way to die.

No one would have predicted that business activities in Lagos, the nation’s commercial hub, would be stalled, leading to the closure of schools, offices, business establishments, government  parastatals etc, no thanks to the deadly Pandemic, Covid-19.

The Lagos State Government has announced that major markets in the State will be locked from Friday 27th March, 2020, to curtail the spread of the disease.

This development, which many States will also adopt, most likely, will further impoverish Nigerians who are already going through difficult times.

According to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, ” There is urgent need to curtail the spread of Covid-19, prompting the Government to order the closure of major markets around the State”.

A press release issued by LASG and the leadership of the of Market Leaders and Traders’ Association of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter, says that they are pained by the ravaging effects of the deadly Corona Virus COVID-19, since its first case was reported in Wuhan Province, China in 2019.

The Statement reads further, “Our hearts go out to the Families and Countries that have lost tens,hundreds or thousands of their citizens especially health workers and care givers to the virus, as we pray for the peaceful repose of their souls.

“We also thank God for the recovery of other thousands of individuals, who were infected by the virus, praying that those  still undergoing treatment will recover their sound health soon.

“Our association is also concerned and worried about the dire economic crisis the pandemic have thrown the world into,hoping that things will normalize soon in every aspect of human lives;as the search for a permanent cure and eradication of the COVID-19 intensifies across the globe.

“Following these developments, the leadership of our association having studied the present trend of events in the world and in our country Nigeria, especially Lagos State, and after due consultations and deliberations with markets leaders affiliated to our association, hereby arrive at the following, with the title LIFE FIRST.

“Since it is only the living that transacts business,we assume its wiser for our members to be alive, in other to be engaged in their daily businesses, hence measures to protect their lives at this critical time should be employed.

“1. We therefore advise all markets affiliated to our association and other markets in Lagos State, to direct their members to buy and stock foodstuff that will sustain their families in the next couple of weeks between today, Tuesday March 24th to Thursday March 26th,and close their shops, offices, showrooms, warehouses and markets temporarily from, Friday March 27th to Friday April 4th, 2020, as we study events as they unfold.

“2. Market Executives should ensure that temperature testing kits are provided for the appropriate officers in the market to screen both members and customers in their markets, while the appropriate officers should ensure that every shop or showroom provide hand washing spots and keep hand sanitizers handy when their markets reopen.

“3.We advise our members to stay at home during this temporal market shutdown, and maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet spacing in any public facilities; also observe other measures as directed or may be directed by relevant health agencies.

“4.We advise all our members to adhere strictly to any information or directives from the Lagos State Government and other relevant regulatory bodies relating to curtailing the spread of the COVID-19.

“5.We regret any inconvenience these measures may cause our members, our customers and the general public but reminding us again that ONLY THE LIVING WILL TRANSACT BUSINESS (LIFE FIRST),while praying and hoping that God will intervene very soon to save Nigeria and entire world from this precarious situation.

The press statement was signed by the LASG and Comrade Christopher Okpala, President of the Traders Association and  Secretary, Comrade Okey Enwuru.