Richard Ginika Izuora
Some Civil Society Organisations, CSO’s have challenged the extension of lockdown by another one week by governor Dapo Abiodun.
In a statement, signed by Toyin Raheem for Campaign for Constitutionalism and and Human Rights CCHR, Bamidele Oyewole for Committee for Workers Rights, CWR and Chief Liadi Edun for Centre for People ‘s Defence, among others advised the governor to balance policies and decisions by making wider consultations.
“The fact that he governs Ogun State does not mean he should be taking unilateral decision without considering plights of the people a d the economic implication of his decision.” They said.
They reminded the government that price of staple food has gone beyond reach of the people and since it is difficult for government to feed the people they should be given the opportunity to go back to work.
“He talks about window of relaxation. Of what benefit is the window of relaxation when people have no economic power to purchase food items? Is he aware prices of food items stable food ,are now priced beyond the reach of common man?” the statement added.
They asked the government to rescind the decision to extend the lockdown by another one week, adding that the economy of the people”can not be locked down for ever.
They argued that non compliance of preventive measures by some people is not a tenable excuse as there will always be recalcitrant to lawful orders and that is the essence of laws and punishment for failure to comply.
The Governor should know people can not be caged indefinitely without access to their means of survival, they said.