BY: MARTIN OKECHUKWU
Majority of Imolites mostly resident in Owerri, have expressed concern, how the lockdown and curfew declared by the State government is having effect on them.
Some traders who spoke to this newspaper said these measures aimed at checkmating the coronavirus pandemic “are suffocating them to hardship”
This newspaper observed that despite the lockdown order by the State government, some traders still go about their businesses in defiance of the order.
“Lockdown, curfew is biting on us. My business is suffering so badly. How do I feed my family, who have been at home with me because of the lockdown for more than three weeks” said Mr.Chinedu Anyasodor,a gas dealer.
Mrs.Rita Egwuatu, who sells fish at the Eke Ukwu market, Owerri said though she understands the fact the State government, wants to save the people of the State from the pandemic, it does not translate to food on their tables.
“HungerVirus is deadlier to this coronavirus. It is biting us. The Palliatives we hear they are sharing, how are they sharing it? Please journalist, tell them that coronavirus will not kill us, it is not our portion, what we want is food and we need money to take care of our families” she stated.
Our reporter observed that most markets in the State capital, Owerri have remained open since the lockdown order.
From Eke Ukwu to Relief markets in Owerri, traders displayed their wares for buyers to buy.
A middle aged woman who gave her name as Adaora and sells potatoes at Relief market, along Egbu road, said the lockdown is meaningless to her.
“The lockdown is meaningless when we stay at home without money to take care of our children. We can avoid coronavirus by what they told us to do, which are regular hand washing and social distancing. But you cannot distance from hunger.Hungervirus is affecting us” she said.
Some workers in the State who alleged that they have not been payed salaries by the State government, called on the State government, to save them from hunger and hardship, by paying them their due.
“I have not received my salary for the month of March. How do they expect me to survive. I have to do other things legitimate to feed my family, lockdown or no lockdown, coronavirus or coronavirus” he spoke on condition of anonymity.
Mr.Obinna Ekemzie, a Busimo driver said the lockdown order has adversely affected his bus business.
“There are no passengers on the road anymore. Everyone is at home.
“There is no coronavirus in Imo State officially. Let the State government relax the lockdown and direct everyone to use face Masks and gloves to avoid being infected. This virus will take a long time to go away. We better plan well. The State government should stop the lockdown to allow people fend for themselves” he advised.
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