Residents react As Abiodun Extends Lockdown By A
Week In Ogun
Some residents of Ogun state have expressed disappointment over the decision of Ogun state governor, prince Dapo Abiodun to extend lockdown for another one week in the state.
The residents complained of boredom, hunger and frustration which according to them was worse than coronavirus.
While speaking with one of the residents, Abayomi Okanlawon described the decision as a waste of time, saying that since they have started the extension no changes has been recorded.
He said, ”The governor should stop wasting our time, we are tired of boredom, we are tired of staying at home where no meaningful thing has been done by the state government. If I may ask when they extended lockdown down last week what was their achievement capital ”NO” this extension of thing can not help, it is a waste of the time of the people of Ogun State”
Another resident, Mrs Abimbola said that the pandemic has been politicised in the state, saying that the government has refused to suspend the lockdown in the state so as to steal more money.
However in an interview with some residents, they described the extension as a welcome development which will they claimed that the extension is for the good of the people of the state.
One of the residents who spoke with our correspondent, Mrs Orelope Abolore today said that the increase in the number of covid-19 patients is worrisome, saying that the Abiodun has made the best decision.
She called on other residents to join hands with Abiodun to fight the pandemic in the state instead of complaining.
Abolore said, ”we should not blame our governor for extending lockdown for another one week because he is for our good, we can not continue to witness more cases in the state and that is why our governor has decided protect our lives by extending the lockdown and ban inter-state travels.” He concluded
Recall that Governor Abiodun on Friday extended the lockdown for another one week over poor compliance with the lockdown measures by the people of Ogun state.
Abiodun submitted that he was not happy with the way people are taking the lockdown measures with levity , saying that his government will continue to be more concerned about the health of the people
The governor said this during a press conference held on Friday at Governor’s office, Okemosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
In his words ”In view of the evidence of community transmission and poor compliance with the lockdown measures, we are constrained to extend the lockdown for another week till Sunday 24th of May. The current pattern of lockdown, with relaxation windows from 7.00am to 5.00pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday continues.
Abiodun said that they will continue to monitor the level of compliance with the lockdown measures and incidence of community transmission so as to enable them to further ease the lockdown at the end of this new lockdown period.
” We must also bear in mind that the daily curfew from 8pm to 6am and the ban on non-essential inter- State travel as directed by Mr. President still stands”
He explained that between 4th May and yesterday, 108 violators of the lockdown and other measures have been apprehended and prosecuted.
The governor added that they were promptly tried by the newly introduced mobile courts, with some of them made to pay fine whilst some are undergoing community service.
” In the same vein, 517 vehicles, 109 motorcycles and 6 tricycles were impounded for breaching the Presidential directive on curfew within the same period.
”Security agencies also intercepted migrants from other states, who defied the ban on interstate travels, and promptly turned them back at our borders with other states. We thank the security agencies and the judiciary for the patriotic duties of apprehending and bringing to justice the violators whose activities are capable of undermining our collective wellbeing.
” We have continued to interface with the various Baales, Obas, opinion leaders and others in our border communities to report immediately any suspicious movement of people across the borders. We have also continued to interface with leaders of the various non-indigenous groups in Ogun State to educate their people on the prevailing laws and its consequences.
”This is just as we have reinforced the intelligence apparatus in the various non-indigenous settlements and markets especially at Ogere and Kara markets along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway; Olomore pepper market at Abeokuta; Eleweran Onion and other markets in our major towns of Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, Ilaro and Ota.
”My dear people of Ogun State,
A week ago, specifically on Friday last week, I addressed you on the then status of the COVID-19 situation in our dear State. I consider it imperative to provide an update, on the medical statistics, the lockdown measures and other initiatives to ensure the overall objective of safeguarding the health and well-being of our people.
”First the medical update. In my last week briefing, the number of confirmed cases in Ogun State was 100. But, by yesterday, Thursday 14th May, 2020, we have recorded 34 more positive cases of COVID- 19, bringing the total to 134. This shows an increase of more than 30%, in just one week.
” In the same period, we also discharged 20 additional patients who have been successfully treated at our isolation centers, in addition to the 39 earlier discharged thus bringing the total to 59, who have been given a clean bill of health and have since rejoined their respective families.
”The rate of recovery is very heartwarming and encouraging and we pray that this pattern continues. Unfortunately, we have recorded 5 deaths in total. We pray God to repose their souls. This leaves us with 70 active cases who are currently receiving care at our treatment centers. As usual, we hope and pray that they will also be discharged in due course.
”The spike in the number of positive cases, particularly in the last one week, is attributable to two main factors.
”First is the expanded testing capacity, currently at 450 per day, that has enabled us to embark on aggressive testing, especially in the communities with possible high prevalence of infection such as our border communities.
”The testing has presented us with the stark reality that community transmission is on the increase in our rural and urban communities in Ogun State.
He assured that he will continue to keep expanding their testing capacity by deploying more personnel and testing centers to every nook and cranny of the State.
He furthered maintained that In spite of several warnings and the concerted efforts of the security agencies a lot number of people have continued to flout the measures in place to flatten the curve of the spread.
”Some residents still come out in the public without the use of facemasks or use the facemasks in a manner that do not shield their mouths and noses.
”Motorcycles and tricycles riders still carry more than the approved number of passengers of one and two respectively; and drivers of taxi cab and passenger buses are also culpable in this flagrant violations of the extant guidelines.
”Our markets have also not fully compiled with physical distancing and other measures to ensure the markets do not become the COVID-19 transmission centers.
”Between 4th May and yesterday, 108 violators of the lockdown and other measures have been apprehended and prosecuted.
”They were promptly tried by the newly introduced mobile courts, with some of them made to pay fine whilst some are undergoing community service. In the same vein, 517 vehicles, 109 motorcycles and 6 tricycles were impounded for breaching the Presidential directive on curfew within the same period.
”The security agencies also intercepted migrants from other states, who defied the ban on interstate travels, and promptly turned them back at our borders with other state” He concluded
He appreciated the security agencies and the judiciary for the patriotic duties of apprehending and bringing to justice the violators whose activities are capable of undermining our collective wellbeing.
”Finally, I want to commend all our State healthcare workers for their understanding and partnership with Government, particularly in this trying times. As a responsible Administration, we have not taken your commitment and sacrifice for granted. I also appreciate all the other frontline officers; and all the various security agencies and journalists for their continued devotion, resilience and patriotism.
” You have continued to put your lives on the line to protect the rest of us. We appreciate you and we pray that God will continue to protect you in the line of duty to humanity. He concluded
