‘Beer parlour’ owners shun Akeredolu’s order against Covid19 in Ondo

***Former lawmaker seen amidst ‘beer drinking customers’

Owners of pubs popularly known as beer parlours in Akure , the Ondo state capital have continued to defy the order of governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu placing total bar on social gathering ,and operation of such business which are parts of measures to curb the spread of covid19 in the state.

The Ondo state has recorded 15 confirmed Covid19 cases as of Saturday, May 9th, 2020 while six patients had been discharged.

Our correspondent who has been monitoring the development in the state capital reports that the rate at which people clustered around at different pubs has been on the increase since governor Akeredolu imposed dusk to dawn curfew in the state.

It will be recalled that Akeredolu ordered closure of public places saying “Undesirable penetration at the borders and disregard for social distancing remain our low points.

Reports and daily briefing support these facts. For example, daily experiences of mindless disregard for social distancing in our markets and commercial places beat one’s imagination as to why, in spite of evidences of danger and Government’s daily appeal, our people still insist on endangering their own lives and those of their families as well as their loved ones.”

It was also observed that those that drink at different pubs at Alagbaka, Oyemekun road , Ondo road , isikan market area ,Oba ile and Adegbola Junction among other major areas continue to have fun with different drinks and ordering for more plates of pepper soup after seven o’clock in the evening that the curfew starts.

It was also observed that none of them complied with the social distancing directive as well as wearing face masks that had now become an offence if not used.

Hidden Camera of ROVING REPORTERS caught some scenes at different beer parlous in Akure.

WATCH

Our correspondent reports that a former lawmaker who represented Akure north constituency in the Ondo state house of assembly, Akindele Adeniyi was seen among those drinking beer at a pub adjacent the state library without observing social distancing and using his face mask.

Those who spoke with ROVING REPORTERS expressed worries over the increasing rate of non compliance by beer parlour owners in Akure without any arrest made despite government warning.

Some neighbours around a particular beer parlour at Isikan questioned the commitment of the Ondo state government on the fight against Covid 19.

One of them said “ The owner of that beer parlour must be above the law. Because if not, people have been coming here on daily basis ,drinking and winning together as if we were back to our normal life.

You will see a lot of cars packed on the street while those drinking will sit together with impunity. Do we still have government in the state.?

Some times ,police vehicles will be driving along and the officers inside would not come down and ask questions. This is unfortunate. I do not think the Covid 19 thing is even real with this singular act.

How can other business owners close because they all want to make things right by abiding by the rules and some will be opening without being stopped. They even don’t respect the curfew …after 7o’clock, you will still be seeing them drinking. It is unfortunate and sad. ”

Another respondent said “ I am surprised people are still staying in bar after curfew. This is dangerous. I saw more than 25 cars at THE STREAM around 8:36pm this night. People were drinking as if nothing is happening. ”

Efforts to get the reaction of the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on Special Duties, Doyin Odebowale had not been successful as all messages sent to his Whatsapp and SMS has not been replied as of the time of filing this report.