COVID-19: Gov AbdulRazaq should reconsider the curfew imposition

By Nurudeen Akewushola

In her bid to curtail the emergent of Coronavirus in Kwara, the Government of Kwara State under the leadership of Mallam Abdulrasaq Abdulrahman imposed a quick partial lockdown in Kwara which precluded the good people of Kwara from moving out for their daily routines.

The curfew was announced on 25th of March without the Government giving neither a prior notice nor providing alternative scheme that would aid the wellbeing of Kwarans during the lockdown moment.

Yoruba would say “all of us cannot sleep and put our heads at the same place, despite the fact that the decision is expedient, it is too critical so far no case has been recorded in Kwara since its outbreak. Though many think that decision is in the best interest of Kwarans but it would have been more effective if the Government provide a working g modality that would cater for the welfare of her citizen whose businesses have been badly affected by the lockdown directive.

Another dreaded killer virus might appear soon in hunger should the state government not put into consideration those that need to hustle each and every day to feed themselves and their family. How do you expect Iya Alata, Iya Oniresi, commercial Motorcyclists and car operators to sustain this curfew if the Government does not provide them an alternative means? In other words, some families have been impoverished because of this curfew since the source of income of their family’s breadwinner has been blocked.

I’m not trying to heap blame on the government as it is just trying her best to prevent the spread of Virus but it is also important that the government considers the effect of this action on the citizen.

Governor AbdulRazaq has taken a bold and preventive measure to preclude the entrance of this virus but it is also importance he devices a means of catering for the welfare of Kwarans.

Based on available data from the NCDC, it could be assumed that Kwara has no case of the novel virus so far, the state executive head should have shut the state borders or impose the curfew provided there is an alternative palliative method of providing people of the state with their daily basic needs.

The Kwara government should emulate Governor Zulum of Borno State by coming up with feeding scheme for all her citizens.

The Government should also, as an advice, imbibe the act of fumigating key location in the state and also distribute sanitizers, nose cover and hand gloves for the Kwarans alongside online orientation scheme on how to prevent the spread of this pandemic.

On a final note, imposition of curfew is expedient but it is also important that they consider its effect on the citizens of Kwara hence the Government should therefore develop a scheme that would aid the welfare of Kwarans during this time of curfew or lift the curfew and find another means of precluding the virus from entering the state such as sealing of entry points and immunization of citizens. Just like it is fact that Health is Wealth; Wealth (food) is also Health.