“What about the market women, the nursing mothers and the disabled? If you see the agony they encounter to get to their places of work, you would pity their situation.” Lockdown Nigeria Ogun Lagos
It has been an unusual time for those residing but working in Ogun and Lagos states and vice versa, as well as Delta and Anambra, states, as the inter-state border closure has caused them unwarranted embarrassment and hardship in the last four weeks.
“I must say it is a very bitter experience for us at this time. I work in a hospital on Lagos Island and used to leave home as early as 5 am, but that is no more obtainable because of difficulties in getting vehicles as a result of the curfew. As a result, the area has been turned into a mini motor park, as minibuses, popularly called Korope, tricycles and even commercial motorcycles make brisk money. Passengers dropped at the boundary resort to them to get to their final destinations, which are as far as Idimu, Ikotun, Command, Ipaja, Ayobo, Agbado Kollington and other areas.
“That notwithstanding, the major challenges I always encounter is alighting from one bus and trekking through the boundary in search of another vehicle to convey me home. Most times, the fare is three times higher. In addition to this, security personnel enforcing compliance with the curfew are always on hand to harass even those that are on essential duty.”
According to him, apart from the long-distance, which he treks before getting on a bus, he now spends N1, 400 for transportation daily as against N400 to N500 before the pandemic broke out.” From about 200 meters away from the former Abraka Market, which was recently demolished because of the activities of criminals, to the head bridge that borders the two states, about four main road barricades were seen, with the Covid-19 task force members brandishing different sizes of wooden batons and sticks on defiant commuters.
Then just after the ‘C’ Division Police Station by the head bridge is a flurry of activities, with a senior Police officer directing affairs, while Federal Road Safety Corps personnel were at a checkpoint and a group of boys were seen extorting money openly from fully-loaded commercial buses, not minding the social distancing or wearing facemasks as ordered by the state and federal governments.
In Awka, an Anambra State Government source said it erected the barriers at border posts to stop the smuggling of persons by security operatives. Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, Secretary to Anambra State Government, Prof. Solomon Chukwulobelu, in company with his Delta State counterpart, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, said both governments had decided to work together on the enforcement of the lockdown as it concerned movement on the bridge in the interest of the suffering masses.
“The idea is that those trucks that are not essential or carrying essential commodities can be processed and turned back very quickly, so that those that come into the bridge can have faster exit on the bridge, thereby ensuring that there are no heavy trucks on the bridge at any point in time.”
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ogun, Adamawa, Oyo, Lagos top list of presidential aides
Read more »
Two cops arrested as Nigerians demand justice for slain Lagos girl
Read more »
No more lockdown in Ogun except weekends, says Abiodun
Read more »
Gov Abiodun relaxes COVID-19 lockdown in OgunOgun Sate Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, relaxed the lockdown imposed on the state to flatten the curve of the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Abiodun, who stated this while addressing newsmen on the efforts of government to fight the spread of the deadly virus said the state residents can now move around from June 1.
Read more »
Coronavirus: Ogun unveils guidelines for 'reopening economy'The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has released the guidelines for reopening the state's economy on Monday.
Read more »
Ogun gov suspends projects commissioning, opts for low-key celebrationThe Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, says he is suspending commissioning of projects, which had earlier been scheduled as part of activities marking his one year in office, and his 60th birthday …
Read more »