Two weeks lockdown: Ogun State residents in panic cash withdrawals, food purchases

The residents of Ogun State on Monday in their hundreds embarked on panic withdrawal of money from banks, and bulk purchase of food items at number of markets ahead of the Federal Government two weeks stay in-door order, following the ravaging coronavirus.

Penpushing reports that, President, Mohammed Buhari had in a broadcast to the citizens of the country on Sunday explained that the ban order was based the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)

The residents of Ogun State less than 24 hours of the pronouncement and in apprehension on how to keep body and soul together for the two weeks period, which commences 11pm on Monday, stormed their various banks to collect money, and also found in the markets buying last minute foodstuff for their households.

Penpushing further reports that, investigation across the state, showed bank customers at various branches for  the last minute withdrawal before end of the bank services for the day, and many were also sighted at ATM points for cash collection.

The bank officials also face workload in attending to the customers, as hundreds of customers were eager to collect money, and as part of the bank management efforts to avoid spread of the virus, the customers were allowed inside the banking hall in a set of 15 persons as batch, and this is after application of hand sanitizers on individuals

Penpushing also reports that, in similar vein, women majority of them housewives were seen at the markets making last minute purchase of food stuff and other household items that will be of benefits for their various families, as the stay home order lasted for first week.

The identified markets as at the time of filing this reports include; Kuto, Itoku, Omida, Panseke, Osiele, Iberekodo, Lafenwa  and rounda all in Abeokuta, the State Capital were full of customers, with some wives accompanied by their husbands, struggling for purchase of items, while this same development was recorded in Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, Odeda,Ibafo, Wawa, Ilaro, Sango, Ifo, Ota  and Arepo towns among others.

Penushing reports that,  Semiu Akanbi in an interview, said the decision to buy food stuff at home was as result of the ongoing  ugly development about coronavirus, adding that following the federal government directive, the wise thing to do is to make abundant food available at home, most importantly because of the children.

The family head disclosed that as at the time of the interview he had bought rice, beans, gari, indomie, meat and fish among other consumable items for the home, adding that, the decision of the government was in the best interest of the citizen, considering the threat coronavirus is posing globally.

Penpushing recalled that, the President in his broadcast explained, “based on the advice of the Federal Ministry of Health and the NCDC, I am directing the cessation of all movements in Lagos and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11pm on Monday, 30th March 2020. This restriction will also apply to Ogun State due to its close proximity to Lagos and the high traffic between the two States,” the president said.

“All citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes. Travel to or from other states should be postponed. All businesses and offices within these locations should be fully closed during this period. The Governors of Lagos and Ogun States as well as the Minister of the FCT have been notified. Furthermore, heads of security and intelligence agencies have also been briefed,”, he stated

The Ogun State government in corroborating  the Federal Government order has called on its citizens to comply strictly with the Federal and State government’s directives to remain at home for initial period of 14 days.

Penpushing further reports that, the State Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Abiodun Awere stated this in his office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, saying the lockdown was inevitable to curb further spread of the virus, as ‘’staying alive guarantees opportunity to long life’’.

The Permanent Secretary said the State government was moving round the state, sensitising the people on preventive measures to adopt at this period, urging people of the State to support the efforts of Prince Dapo Abiodun led administration in curtailing the spread of the virus in the society by maintaining the practice of basic hygiene.

“The particular strain of the Coronavirus has given rise to a pandemic, which is a very widespread disease. Many of us already know or have heard of the damage this disease had caused, and would continue to cause to families, neighbours, communities and societies throughout the World, if proactive measures are not put in place”, he said.

Penpushing also reports that, Awere enjoined citizens to avoid crowded places and stick to social distancing by maintaining at least 5 feet distance between one person and the other, stressing the need for anyone that has cough, fever or any form of breathing difficulties to see a doctor or call the Emergency Operations Centre on telephone numbers 08188978392 and 08188978393.