Ondo residents lament as Akeredolu extends measures against coronavirus

Residents of Akure, the Ondo state capital have expressed worries over the decision of governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s government to extend its various measures to contain the spread of coronavirus in Ondo state.

Governor Akeredolu-led administration had two weeks ago closed all public schools, recreation centres ,business centers ,all social and religious gatherings as part of measures to ensure that Ondo state is Covid-19 free.

Though ,the state has one confirmed case of the pandemic so far , the state government decided to extend those measures.

In a statement by Donald Ojogo,the commissioner for Information and Orientation on Tuesday says “It will be recalled that the Government took some far reaching decisions in respect of the pandemic some of which were for a period of 14 days in the first instance.

Shortly after the disclosure of the decisions to the public, fresh measures were equally put in place to complement Government’s efforts.

After a careful assessment of the situation nationwide in line with our index status in respect of COVID-19, the Ondo State Government wishes to inform the general public that such measures and steps taken so far are still in force.

For the avoidance of doubt, these measures which shall still be in force until further notice include:

Total ban on all Political, Social and Religious gatherings in the State
Gatherings at clubs, beer parlours and joints.
All Civil Servants from Grade Levels 01-12, except those on essential duties as may be determined by their respective Accounting Officers and Chief Executives, are to remain at home.
Closure of both public and private schools
Restriction on religious gatherings in Churches and Mosques
Closure of markets across the State
Closure of the State’s inter-state boundaries with neighbouring states.
Total ban on interstate travels entry into the State. ”

Meanwhile , the people of Ondo state have lamented the hardship they were being made to face due to governor Akeredolu’s directives to extend lockdown in the state without providing palliative measures.

Those who spoke with ROVING REPORTERS in Akure expressed worries that after fourteen days ,the government had not helped them in anyway as they found it difficult to get means of putting food on their tables.

Mrs Omowumi Adeyemi who is a widow and operates a computer business in Akure lamented that she now begged neighbours to feed her children.

She said “ I am not happy with this situation.The only means of feeding my children is closed with no hope for me. I take them to my church members for help because it is over one week now and all my savings from petty business have been spent. ”

Some of the residents, who are artisans also lamented that they have been deprived of their livelihood and survival as Akeredolu had failed to consider the people before announcing the extension.

According to them, though it was good for governor Akeredolu to enforce lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus ,he should ,at this time ,provide palliative measures for the people as well.

They cited Ekiti state as an example where governor Kayode Fayemi had distributed food items to the people of Ekiti state as palliatives , expressing disappointment that Akeredolu had not come up with such distribution after 14 days and yet, he extended the lockdown on those who find it difficult to get daily food to eat.