By Hassan Suleiman
Following the extension of lockdown in Lagos and Ogun state by another two weeks by President Muhammadu Buhari in a nationwide broadcast, the issue of vulnerability rears its head again. With the extension of the lockdown which hopefully will climax on 27 April, virtually everybody need government support to be able to cushion off the chronic effect of COVID -19. Corona virus has expanded the literary meaning of vulnerable to cut across people of different age, occupation and status complaining bitterly about the lockdown and their seemingly inaccessible to various government palliative measures. More worrisome is the media report of legislatures, chairmen of Local Governments claim of donating relief material and cash. Some residents in Lagos are of the opinion that the cash donation and relief material on COVID -19 by both the federal and state government is not properly channel to those who actually need them , rather, party supporters and chieftains those gaining from these relief. Some residents in Lagos even said that the federal government should have deemed it fit to send to Nigerians the cash, through their Bank Verification Number (BVN). There are bitter complaints among house wives, market women, office workers, small and medium enterprise owners and business man over the shoddy manner the intervention palliative of government .
According to Funmilayo Bankole, a house wife who was in Mile 12 market to buy foodstuff complained bitterly of how the prices of food stuff has gone up and gradually going out of reach. According to her “The price of local beans, which is in higher demand has increased from ₦1,100 to ₦1,400. The price of white beans that is lower in demand remained at ₦1,100 for a paint bucket size.
Also, the prices of different packages of wheat meal and semolina flour have increased by ₦50 each as sellers warned that the price might continue to rise if the lockdown persist. Bread, which is a staple in homes, is not spared as well as the price has gone up by 50 naira. For instance, a loaf of bread of ₦200 and ₦300 now sells for between ₦300 and ₦350. Responses from Lagosians about the lockdown and its adverse effect on them further attest to the fact that everybody indeed need one form of assistance or the other. According to a retailer, Adebanke Raheemat, at Dada Aga Street Mile-12. “Business is dull. People buy on credit and never pay on time. There are even people who come here to beg for food stuffs. In fact, these people are more than those who genuinely patronize us. “According to her “A bag of beans which used to be sold at ₦15,000 now sells for ₦20,000. She equally claimed that she would appreciate if the palliative being given by government can be extended to her and that she would preferred being paid cash.
In another vein, Azeez Opeyemi, a shoe cobbler whose shop is at Mile 12 bridge said the lockdown has really affected his business saying that people hardly come around to patronize his wares. He explained that people prefer to repair their damaged shoes at home now to bringing it to him as they used to do before the lockdown. He emphasized that he would appreciate if government can put in place a price control board that would regulate the cost of essential commodities in the market. He suggested that the old and the elderly should be given necessary palliative; after all, they spent their early years contributing to the growth of Nigeria. Contrarily, Mrs Obajimi, a retailer in soft drink claimed that the lockdown has affected her business adversely. She said for instance, a bag of sachet water which was sold at 100 naira now sells for 140 naira. She revealed that people who patronize her now on credit. She was of the opinion that she would gladly welcome any form of assistance from government. She said she does not care any amount that government is willing to offer her as the lockdown persist.
Victor Ohafugor, a school owner at Mile 12 also expressed concern about the COVID-19 lockdown. He clarified that government need to be holistic in her approach as most of the intervention policies being put in place focus only on those in the public sector thereby neglecting those in the private sector like him. He explained that as a private school owner, he registered his school under the Corporate Affairs Commission and paid his yearly taxes to the government. He said he expected the government to also assist those in the private sector as well; after all, they also pay taxes to government. He urged the government to treat all sectors equally.
A banker, Mr Idowu Adeniyi said the COVID -19 lockdown is becoming worrisome to him. He said he spends more at home to keep the family going. He spent heavily in ensuring that foodstuff are bought in large quantity and properly stored. According to him “I had to subscribe for Gotv
People are perturbed about the ongoing lockdown, since most of the palliative provided by the government did not reach the intended destinations and people. More worrisome now is the rising wave of crime in the neighborhood. There are series of media reports on “Awawa and 1million boys’ who rob people of their money. According to report, they inflict pains, wounds and injuries on their victims. While these criminals perpetuate their act, they also come along with POS machine to forcefully collect from their victims. There are also reported cases of pickpockets waylaying those who go to withdraw cash from Automated Machines at night. However, The lock down clamped on Lagosians is a good initiative meant to curtail the spread of COVID -19 but government should as well make their various palliative measure available at the door step of a common man. An hungry is an angry man!
Hassan Suleiman, suhabio@yahoo.com,
Department of Journalism, School of Communication, LASU.