Just like how other major countries have extended their lockdowns to tackle the spread of COVID-19, Nigeria has also extended the lockdown in major affected states like Lagos, Ogun and FCT, the second extension of the lockdown is expected to elapse on Mon April 27th midnight as every Nigerians await president Muhammadu Buhari decision.
However it can be noted that since the second extension of the lockdown the COVID-19 cases in Nigeria has increased to one thousand plus, adding to the fact that the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari also lost his life recently due to COVID-19.
Some countries have relaxed their lockdowns on major cities with Ghanarelaxing it's lockdown in major cities like Accra for economic reasons despite their high number of COVID-19 cases.
1. High crime rate :during the phase of the second lockdown, crime rate and unrest increased in some states namely Lagos and Ogun state perpetuated by the notorious 1 million boys gang. If the lockdown is extended then the rate of crime will increase too.
2. Hunger : Many Nigerians might die of hunger, most average and below the line Nigerians are daily earners who survive by their daily hustle, since the lockdown started they have not been able to feed well, some have been starving for long only for the lockdown to be increased by 14days, now they can't wait for the good news of relaxing the lockdown on Mon April 27th midnight so they can go back to their hustle and their normal life because being at home all day and hungry is very dangerous. If the stimulus package from the government got to everyone then the lockdown can be extended or if there was some form of monetary assistance.
3. For how long: no one is sure of when there will be a cure for COVID-19 or when the whole situation will be over so if the lockdown continues to extend, for how long?
1. Wide spread of COVID-19 : If the lockdown is relaxed without appropriate measures to control the COVID-19 outbreak, it can increase rapidly considering the fact that there was a lockdown and it increase how much more when there is no lockdown?
Our advice to the Federal government is to relax the lockdown a bit then make the use of face mask and alcohol based sanitizers compulsory while people also observe the large gathering prohibition and social distancing order.
Recently the Nigeria Labour Congress called on the Federal Government not to extend the lockdown order on COVID-19, warning that doing so might cause social unrest in the affected states and the Federal Capital Territory.
In a letter addressed to the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and dater April 14, 2020, which was signed by the NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, the union also frowned at the method employed by the FG in the distribution of the palliative measure, calling for the expansion of the initiative to all Nigerians affected by the pandemic.
The union said, “While we understand the public health imperatives for extending the lockdown in some parts of the country, it is also very important to underscore the fact that the states currently under total lockdown are the economic and administrative nerve centres of Nigeria.
“This is very dicey. As much as it is important to keep many Nigerians from dying in the hands of coronavirus, loss of income and the accompanying destitution can also be a pathfinder for numerous other sicknesses and deaths. This is the time to play the balancing game.
“The truth is that our economy might relapse into prolonged coma if the current lockdown in the nation’s nerve centres goes beyond the current extension.
“There were widespread acts of civil disobedience, inducement of law enforcement agents to gain passes and even various forms of violent crimes.
“No one is sure how long this dam would hold. We fear that the situation will get out of hand if the lockdown exceeds one month.
“While we commend government for being proactive, we opine that the stimulus package would be best served through consultation with social partners.
“Labour and private sector employers have a good understanding of industries where jobs and production are in most danger.”
The (NCDC) Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, has explained why the lockdown measure should not be relaxed amid efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), had on March 29 ordered a lockdown of the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states for 14 days to curb COVID-19 spread. Many states had also followed suit.
But as the number of COVID-19 cases increased, the President on April 13 extended the lockdown for 14 more days.
As of the time of filing this report, the coronavirus had spread to 26 states and the FCT, with 1,095 cases recorded across the country by the NCDC. While 208 patients had been discharged, 32 had died.
The new cases were 80 in Lagos, 21 in Gombe, five in FCT, two each in Zamfara and Edo, and one each in Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna and Sokoto states.
Speaking on Friday at a media briefing of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 in Abuja, the Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said it was not yet time to relax the lockdown.
He noted that although the lockdown was having negative effects on the economy as it was impeding Nigerians’ ability to go about their daily activities, he said it was vital to be patient and endure the lockdown further to ensure a safe and healthy society when the economy would be reopened.
He said, “We will eventually exit this stage and restart our normal life but that stage is still a while to come and I ask for your endurance, support and patience. Lots of efforts are going on across the world to find new therapy, to find vaccine.
“Everybody is pushing hard along this direction. We need unprecedented level of caution to continue carrying out the preventive measure that we have advised many times on this platform.
“Many families have not been able to bury their dead, rescheduled their marriages and baptism and everything they are doing. In a way, life is in suspense. Everyone recognises the sacrifice Nigerians have made but we really have to encourage one another to continue to a position where we can relax some of that (lockdown) but until we get to that place, we have to continue in the short term.
“We are working hard to reach a point where we can relax some of these measures but we are not there yet. We ask you to join us to continue this journey with us and amplify these messages that we are giving. We are happy to have the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress here with us today (Friday).”
Ihekweazu added that the citizens must remember that the most vulnerable people were the elderly and people with other illnesses.
“We must protect them. In protecting them, if they are living in the village, leave them there and support them with whatever resources you have. But please, now is not the time to encourage travelling,” he added.
While The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF)has asked President Muhammadu Buhari, to scale down the total lockdown imposed in Lagos, Ogun and Abuja.
This was contained in a letter dated April 24, 2020 and signed by NGF chairman, Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
The letter was addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman, Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, Boss Mustapha.
The Governors have asked Buhari to allow free movement in all the states, but with restrictions on large gatherings.
The other things the governors want incorporated into President Buhari’s impending pronouncement on the lockdown are: “Inter-state lockdown, excluding movement of essential supplies- food, beverages, medical and pharmaceutical, petroleum supplies and agricultural products; internal free movement but with restrictions on large gatherings and assemblies; overnight curfews; lockdown of flights; and compulsory use of face masks/coverings in the public.”
Fayemi said NGF’s position was a follow up to a teleconference meeting with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, on April 22, 2020.
“Recall at the meeting it was agreed that the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) articulates the issues that it would want to be included in the next Presidential Pronouncement on COVID-19 so as to have a Uniform and coordinated Policy on COVID-19 at both the national and sub-national levels,” he added.
Nigeria currently has 1095 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 208 discharged and 32 deaths.
Buhari is expected to make a new announcement on Monday, April 27, when the second 14-day lockdown elapses.
By the midnight of Mon April 27th when President Muhammadu Buhari will address the nation live, everyone will know the final decision.
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