Lockdown: Ilorin residents hail 4-hr restocking time

Lockdown: Ilorin residents hail 4-hr of restocking time

By Mujidat Oyewole

Restocking

Ilorin, April 15, 2020 (NAN) Residents of Ilorin have expressed satisfaction with the new development of four hours granted by the Kwara Government for restocking needs.

The residents told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Wednesday in separate interviews that the lockdown order was more coordinated than the previous week.

NAN recalls that the Kwara Government had on April 10, ordered for a total lockdown of all the 16 local government areas of the state, in an effort to stop the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), after four tested positive for the virus in the state.

The state government had allowed movements on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to allow people restock and do some business transactions, but the directive was criticised as the whole city was congested.

The government later banned all vehicular movement, but allowed shopping on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays weekly from 8 a.m to 12 p.m, and encouraged people to patronise markets in their neighbourhood.

Mr Richard Lawrence expressed satisfaction on the new development and the effect on the people, as there was coordinated movement and selling of food and drugs.

He said that there were few movement of vehicles, less congestion and less risk of exposure to the Coronavirus, which is the major reason for the lockdown.

Mrs Idowu Yusuf, a trader, said that the new method has made it possible for traders to reduce the price of goods, compared to the price on Monday.

“Most markets refused to open for the sellers, but people sell foodstuff around the market areas and at a reduced price.

“Only Mandate market opened for customers that want to buy tomatoes and other perishable goods, within the given time of 8 a.m and 12 p.m, been a major market where big vehicles supply tomatoes in Ilorin.

“At a point when people were trying to rush and violate the rules, the market was closed for some minutes and was reopened when they promised to be of good conduct,” he said.

Yusuf said that the market closed by noon and many buyers had to find their way home by trekking, as there were no commercial vehicles.

Hajiya Mariam Magobon also commended the government on their effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, but said that there is need for the government to take more measures to ensure full compliance.

She said that the government need to continue strategising, for them to be ready for any development, saying that once there is no more effort in curtailing the spread of the virus, people will start violating the laws.

Magobon also commended the effort of the government in prosecuting offenders and urged for continuity in enforcing laws. (NAN)
MOB/MST

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola