…Caution against another ‘lockdown’ order
A Consortium of human rights and activists on Sunday cautioned the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun against ill-application of lockdown, stressing that the newly imposed one-week lockdown by the Governor was seriously uncalled for.
The Statement made available to the Maritime First was signed by Toyin Raheem for Campaign for Constitutionalism and Human Rights CCHR; Bamidele Oyewole for Committee for Workers Rights CWR; Chief Liadi Edun for Centre for People ‘s Defence; K. Oyinlola for Tenant Rights Project TRP; Jimoh Raji for National Coalition for Good Governance NACOG; Akintunde Rukayat for Women for Greatness of Nigeria WGG; and Toyin Alabi for Campaign for Democracy and Justice. CDJ.
The bodies were miffed that Mr. Dapo Abiodun made the last imposition order, “without considering plights of the people and the economic implication of his decision”.
“How many people can his government feed? Which palliative is the government providing for the people?
“He talks about the window of relaxation. Of what benefit is the window of relaxation when people have no economic power to purchase food items?
“Is he aware prices of food items stable food, are now priced beyond the reach of a common man? Or to stock food he refers to means the government will pay for everything purchased by the people?” the bodies asked, stressing that the Governor’s policies and decisions have to be balanced.
“The fact that he governs Ogun State does not mean he should be taking a unilateral decision without considering plights of the people and the economic implication of his decision.
“Is he aware that the majority of Ogun State people and residents can not access health facilities for ailments other than Coronavirus due to the lockdown?
“What is the percentage of Ogun State people that have their own means of transportation to get to Government hospitals.
“The government should rescind this decision to extend the lockdown by another week. He must be aware “economy of the people” can not be locked down forever.
“Non compliance of preventive measures by some people is not a tenable excuse. There will always be recalcitrant to lawful orders,and ,that is the essence of laws and punishment for failure to comply.
“The Governor should know people can not be caged indefinitely without access to their means of survival.
The Governor should borrow a leaf from governors of other states that are easing the lockdown in the interest of the people and the economy.
“Total lockdown without intensifying efforts to get a cure for the dreaded Corona pandemic may be counterproductive in the long run.
“Ogun state is blessed with people that know the efficacy of roots and herbs in the treatment of diseases and also not lacking in professional orthodox medical practitioners that if given necessary support will find the remedy to COVID 19.
“That is where the governor should direct his energy and resources of the state and not incessant lockdown, that can’t be the panacea to COVID-19.
The Governor should take into cognizance that this period is a new chapter in the lives of the people and the country at large.
“Therefore, People have to be cajoled, appealed to while using minimum force through the police to enforce directives on COVID-19 prevention.
“The incessant lockdown is now becoming a means of extortion by unscrupulous police officers and other security outfits that use the opportunities of the lockdown to corruptly enrich themselves.
“On many occasions, they allow commercial operatives to operate once they are able to buy their ways through. This shows that the government can’t even enforce sincere compliance”, the bodies stated further, stressing the need for Governor Dapo Abiodun to “rescind his decision to impose another week lockdown”.
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