Lockdown: Market leaders urge LASG to allow daily operations

Some foodstuff traders at Agboju Market, Festac Town in Lagos State, on Thursday, called on the state government to further ease the lockdown to allow daily markets in the state.
They said that they were incurring losses opening markets on alternate days.
The Market Leader, Mrs Osinatu Adebayo, said government’s directive to alternate market days in the state to curtail the spread of Coronavirus pandemic came with some challenges, particularly for the foodstuff traders.
“We know the government bears us in mind when taking decisions and because of that, we have been obeying the directives.
“We wash our hands, we use face masks and we only operate the market as directed.
“The people, who sell foods like fish, meat, tomatoes, pepper and vegetables are really suffering; when they have leftovers, it goes bad before the next market day,” she said.
Adebayo urged the LASG to consider allowing the market operate daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Also, Mrs Rebecca Udeh, a trader, said it has been quite challenging for those of them who sell perishable foods, particularly on wet days, when sales are low.
Udeh, who is also a member of the market task force said: “These three days don’t work for us; if we don’t finish selling today, by next tomorrow, they’ve spoilt.
“We’ve been observing the state’s directives of wearing face masks, washing hands and trying to maintain social distancing; we even have a drum outside for water and soap.
“The LASG can give more restrictions, we’ll obey them, but they should please allow us sell daily.”
She commended the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and members of the Man-O-War, who collaborate with the market task force to enforce the directives.
Udeh further commended the residents of Festac Town for complying with the use of face masks when shopping at the market.
Another trader, Mrs Sikiratu Ajao, urged the LASG to further ease the directives on markets.
According to her, some of the traders are the breadwinners of the families and depend on daily sales to meet their responsibilities.
“Anything they want us to do, we will do but let them adjust it a little more by allowing us to sell daily,” she said.