Traders, Artisans Beg Oyetola To Relax Lockdown Totally, Promise To Maintain Distance With Customers

By Ayobami Agboola, Osogbo

Traders and artisans in Osun State have appealed to Governor Gboyega Oyetola to consider a total relaxation of the lockdown so that businesses would return to normal.

It should be recalled that Governor Oyetola, in his last address to residents of the state, granted Osun residents four working days to go on with their businesses.

The governor, in a bid to ease the effect of the COVID-19 lockdown, ordered a dusk to dawn curfew from Monday to Thursday, allowing residents to attend to their businesses from 6 am to 5 pm, while a total lockdown continues from Friday to Sunday.

Speaking with the chairman of New Orisunmibare Market, Osogbo, Dr Adeboye Isaac, he implored Governor Oyetola to ease the lockdown completely, by permitting traders and artisans to run their business activities throughout the week but “they should maintain curfew status by 5 pm to 6 am.”

In an interview with the chairman on Thursday, he opined that allowing residents to fully return to their business would boost the economy of the state.

According to him, “I go in line with popular demand of the people that government should allow traders and artisans to engage in regular activities for all working days, including weekends.

“People should be allowed to go out on Sundays while maintaining social distancing. However, I am not saying congregation should be allowed.

“We will continue to adhere to recommendations of the NCDC by making use of face mask, sanitizer and maintain social distancing with our customers here in Orisunbare New Market” he added.

He commended Governor Oyetola for taking proactive measures to curb the spread of the deadly disease, while admonishing the COVID-19 committee set up by the government to continue its sensitisation for Osun residents in good spirit.

Disclosing that rumours are going round on how people sneak into the state through the borders, the chairman charged security operatives to discharge their duties effectively, by stopping the influx of people into the state.

On his part, the Chairman of Ajegunle Trade Men and Artisans Association, Alhaji Azeez Kamorudeen lamented that the pandemic has negatively affected their business, urging Oyetola to assist them by totally relaxing the lockdown.

Alhaji Kamorudeen appealed to Osun residents to cooperate with the government in order to achieve a Coronavirus-free society.

He also appealed to customers concerning the hike in cost of goods and services, noting that “importation is difficult due to the pandemic.”

He said, “As the chairman of the association, I have introduced taskforce for the 15 zones in the market to checkmate how members follow laid down the orders to contain coronavirus.”

A roadside bread seller, Abike Ayoola, bemoaned the hardship occasioned by the lockdown, disclosing that “life has not been the same for her family since the lockdown.”

She urged the government to “show mercy on people who live on daily income for survival.”