COVID-19 LOCKDOWN DAY 1: TOTAL COMPLIANCE ACROSS IKORODU DIVISION, AS RESIDENTS BERATE ALLEGED GOV’T INSENSITIVITY, LAMENT LACK OF MONEY, FOOD

Following the 14 days lockdown of commercial and social activities declared by the Nigeria’s president, Muhammed Buhari, GCFR in his nationwide address on Sunday, 30th March, there was complete lockdown of activities across Ikorodu division of the State.

Our reporter who moved round some major commercial areas in the division observed 100 percent compliance to the presidential directive.

The stay-at-home order, followed the need to curtail the rising positive cases of the dreaded corona virus disease in Lagos, with the State emerging as the epicentre of the epidemic with 81 cases as at Tuesday, followed by FCT 25 and Ogun State 5 cases respectively.

Ikorodu Oga Radio correspondent monitored compliance of residents across the division and observed total compliance by all residents. A visit to most of the hitherto busy major commercial areas in the division were completely deserted, without any trace of activity.

A visit to Ikorodu Garage Roundabout, Ayangburen Road, TOS Benson and Ebute-Ogolonto roads made the entire areas looked like ghost areas.

Meanwhile, some Ikorodu residents engaged by our correspondent lamented what they termed government ‘insensitivity’, for forcing them indoors for two weeks, without money or food.

‘I am a petty trader and I live on daily income for the upkeep of myself and my family. How does government expect me and my family to survive for 14 days without doing my business?, asked I.K, a petty trader.

A cross section of petty traders at Palapo community, along Ibeshe road also bared their minds on the 14 days lockdown.

‘We are not allowed to sell our goods, meanwhile we have families to cater for. They said they want to protect us from Covid 19 but, they want hunger to kill us and our children’, a female petty trader lamented.

Another petty trader who gave her name simply as Mummy Ope pleaded with compassionate Lagosians to please, come to her aid and that of her friends and neighbours in this critical period so they don’t die of hunger.

‘Anyone that knows where they are sharing free food should please mention us to them. We are just at home with our children. We don’t have  money, talkless of having food to eat. The nose cover that is being shared is good but, we need food more than nose covers. After covering our nose, we will still be hungry’, she concluded.

Meanwhile,  as at the time of filing this report, the free food packs promised by the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu as a stimulus package to cushion the effect of the 14-days lockdown was yet to get to any local councils or community development associations in any part of Ikorodu Division.

A section of Ikorodu Garage / Ojubode / Ayangburen Road deserted by traders and residents

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