Criticism Trails Ogun State Government, As It Bans Lagos Workers From Going To Work

Ogun State Government has banned its residents working in Lagos State, from going to work.

The ban is part of various measures adopted by Governor Dapo Abiodun as Ogun State gradually relaxes the lockdown caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement released by the government and seen by Allnews, Ogun State Government said any worker living within its territory but working in other States, including Lagos, are not allowed to leave the State as ban on interstate travel is still effective.

Allnews had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari lifted the lockdown during a nationwide broadcast last week, stating restriction on movement will be relaxed from May 4, 2020, in order to revive Nigeria's economy. Nigeria had gone on a month lockdown, in a bid to curb the virus from spreading further. Nigeria currently has 2388 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

The ban also prevent workers from travelling into Ogun State after close of work, "There is a total ban on interstate travel (outside Ogun). If you work in Lagos or any other state but you live in Ogun State, you are not allowed to go to Lagos or any other state and return to Ogun."

Lagos Workers Condemn Ban

There are several Lagos workers residing in Ogun State. Failure to resume after the lockdown has been lifted could cost them their jobs. Also, the lockdown has affected many workers and self-employed individuals financially.

Speaking to a Lagos worker, Daniel Idowu, who resides in Ogun State, He told Allnews that the ban was not well thought out as many workers are already struggling to feed their families, "During the lockdown, many workers' source of income was suspended.

"The only way to feed our family is to go to work because companies won't pay their employees who didn't work. The governor is earning is monthly pay, so he should leave us to go earn ours."

Another Ogun State resident who works in Lagos, Rosemary Chibuzor, told Allnews, "Whenever Labour go on strike, government is always fast to threaten that no work, no salary, so does the government expect our employers to pay our salary without going to work?"

Meanwhile, Kayode Obafemi said he understands that the Ogun State Government is trying to protect their residents and State, "but they (government) need to reconsider because companies in Lagos Stats can decide to sack workers and employ those living within the state to do their work."

Criticism trail ban on Twitter

The announcement wasn't well accepted by several Nigerians on social media platform, Twitter. They complained that the ban will affect their livelihood. The ban has been heavily criticised because there are several Lagos workers residing in Ogun State.

While reacting to the ban on Twitter, Jegede Tosin, stated that, "We all know that majority of the people that lives in Ogun borders closer to Lagos, actually work in Lagos. It will be bad to deprive this people from their daily bread since the government want to ease the lockdown."

Another Twitter user, Wale Sanusi, said, "This has just shown that this Government is clueless and do not have good advisers...when they was an “alleged” robbery cases,What did you do??you people in government house just seat down there and think every one is fine right????lets see if you people can stop them on Monday"

Onuoha Onuoha also complained about the impact of the ban, "So people that live in Akute-Alagbole, where there no Ogun state government presence , no health Centre, No administrative office, no public unitilies should loose their jobs and business beacuse they live in the border Town, your statement is nothing put injustice to human race"

Oladejo Taiwo said the State Government is not being realistic with the ban, "For this particular number 18, you people are not realistic and human. People have already been left to keep themselves safe, so why not make them to go work like they've been used to"

Meanwhile, others advised that the decision should be reviewed considering the number of workers and households that would be affected. It was also suggested that Ogun and Lagos State should collaborate and setup a COVID-19 testing checkpoint at their borders.