The Enugu State Government has expressed dismay over what it described as “a total disregard and breach of the undertaking made by the Ogbete Main Market Traders Association and the Pharmaceuticals Dealers Association” for the partial and guided reopening of the market.
DAILY POST reports that as fallout of the recent meeting the Enugu State Government held with market leaders and security agencies, it was unanimously agreed that the Ogbete Main Market, Enugu, will be partially reopened on May 4, 2020, in the overall interest of the public.
This was after leaders of the two market associations undertook that they will strictly abide by the agreed conditions and protocol issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) “which includes the observance of social/physical distancing, high level of personal hygiene and the compulsory use of face masks”.
But the conditions were violated on Monday, the first day of the partial reopening of the market.
Reacting to the development, the State government in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh, also expressed deep concern “about the implications of this breach to the overall health and safety of the citizens of Enugu in this critical period of the COVID-19 Pandemic”.
The government directed the leadership of the Ogbete Main Market Traders Association and the Pharmaceutical Dealers Association, to strictly abide by the conditions for the partial and guided reopening of the market.
The statement warned that “the state government will act swiftly to protect the health and safety of the people of Enugu in the event of any further breach of the conditions for the partial and guided reopening of the Market” .
Full text of the statement:
“BREACH OF CONDITIONS FOR THE PARTIAL AND GUIDED RE-OPENING OF THE OGBETE MAIN MARKET
“1. Recall that on the 1st of May 2020, the Enugu State Government after a meeting with Ogbete Main Market leaders and Security agencies approved a partial and guided opening of Ogbete Main Market in the overall interest of the people of Enugu.
” 2. The resolution to re-open the market was made upon the plea and undertaking by the leaders of Ogbete Main Market Traders Association and Ogbete Pharmaceutical Dealers Association to strictly abide by the protocol issued by the Nigerian Centre of Disease Control which includes the observance of social/physical distancing, high level of personal hygiene and the compulsory use of face masks.
“3. Unfortunately, the events of today at Ogbete main market was a total disregard and breach of the undertaking made by the Ogbete Main Market Traders Association and the Pharmaceuticals Dealers Association.
” 4. The State Government is seriously concerned about the implications of this breach to the overall health and safety of the citizens of Enugu in this critical period of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
” 5. Therefore, the Ogbete Main Market Trader Association and the Pharmaceutical Dealers Association are hereby directed to strictly abide by the conditions for the partial and guided opening of the market.
” 6. The State Government will act swiftly to protect the health and safety of the people of Enugu in the event of any further breach of the conditions for the partial and guided opening of the Market, Nnanyelugo Chidi Aroh MNIM, FIDRPN, ACArb., Hon. Commissioner for Information, Enugu State”