The Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), and the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), have warned the Nigerian government against the looming COVID-19 second lockdown, saying the country’s fragile economy cannot withstand it.
MAN and the LCCI, in separate interviews, advised Nigerians to adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures to prevent another lockdown.
The Director-General of the LCCI, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said the second lockdown was not wise considering the current state of the economy.
His words: “A second lockdown is not advisable. The social and economic environment is too tense and fragile to withstand the shock of another lockdown. What needs to happen is to intensify the sensitisation and awareness of COVID-19 protocols. Some subtle enforcement should also be put in place.”
Similarly, the acting Director-General of MAN, Ambrose Oruche, said the state of health of Nigerians was of paramount importance and the spread of the infectious disease should be prevented by all means.
He, however, noted that it was not advisable for the government to introduce a complete lockdown considering the fragile state of the economy and the need for people to earn a living.
He advised the government to ban large gatherings and enforce the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) protocols like the wearing of facemasks, regular hand washing, and observing of social distancing.
The Director-General of the LCCI, Dr Muda Yusuf, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said second lockdown was not wise considering the current state of the economy.
He stated, “A second lockdown is not advisable. The social and economic environment is too tense and fragile to withstand the shock of another lockdown. What needs to happen is to intensify the sensitisation and awareness of COVID-19 protocols. Some subtle enforcement should also be put in place.”
Also, the acting Director-General of MAN, Ambrose Oruche, said the state of health of Nigerians was of paramount importance and the spread of the coronavirus should be prevented.
He, however, noted that it was not advisable for the government to introduce a complete lockdown considering the fragile state of the economy and the need for people to earn a living.
He advised the government to ban large gatherings and enforce the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control protocols like the wearing of facemasks, regular hand washing, and observing of social distancing.
The two groups’ warning came on the heels of the news that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, had been flown to Dubai for treatment after testing positive for COVID-19.
Recall that following increase in COVID-19 cases in April, the Federal Government imposed a lockdown in Lagos and Ogun states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Phase three of the lockdown, which was extended to other parts of the country, ended in September.
But there have been concerns about the increasing coronavirus cases with at least 26 generals and the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwolu, testing positive for the virus.
The Nigerian Army had also said a general, Olu Irefin, died of the virus