On Lockdown Ease: TUC Backs Federal Government's Decision

 

On the issue of the ease of the lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun States, as imposed by President Muhammadu Buhari, the  Trade Union Congress (TUC) has come out in support of the decision, stating that the country cannot be closed for too long.

On Friday, the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) had said that the easing of the lockdown in the aforementioned areas in the country was "premature," as more cases could be recorded following the ease.

President of the TUC, Quadri Olaleye, in an interview, said that there was there was evidence to show that the Nigerian Government was incapable of adequately distributing palliatives to Nigerians, adding that the government was in need of an effective way to reopen the economy in phases.

Quadri said, “I read the NMA reaction to the relaxation of the lockdown by the President.

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“TUC reaction is that since evidence has shown clearly that the Federal Government does not have the full capacity to provide the needed palliative to all those that need it, (hence, the) government had to come up with a strategy to ease the lockdown by coming out with a guideline and roaster on how the economy should be run at a time like this.

“The FG did the right thing by reopening the economy in phases.

“Manufacturers of essential products, restaurants and other essential sectors of the economy have been given guidelines on how to restart their operations, while curfew has been declared at night.

“All interstate movement except essential ones are closed for now. The truth is that we cannot bleed the economy for too long.

“The danger of hunger is more dangerous than COVID-19. A hungry man is potentially an angry man. Continuing with total lockdown can lead to insecurity.

“At this period, we just need to strike a balance between the health implication and reopening the economy in phases. We also have to take care of insecurity. People must earn a living to meet the needs of their family which the government has shown that it cannot offer for a long time.

“Let us try this for now and see what other measures we need to put in place after this first phase.”