COVID-19 :Market leaders, Traders’ Association,Advice members to shut down markets temporarily .

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu

The leadership of Market and Traders’ Association of Nigeria,Lagos Chapter,saiid they are pained by the ravaging effects of the deadly Corona Virus COVID-19,since it’s first case was reported in Wuhan Province,China in 2019.

In a statement today jointly signed by Comrade Christopher Okpala, President. and Comrade Okey Enwuru-Secretary, the leadership and traders’ Association commiserated with the Families and Countries that have lost tens,hundreds or thousands of their citizens especially health workers and care givers to the virus, and prayed for the peaceful repose of their souls.

According to the statement, “We also thank God for the recovery of other thousands of individuals, who were infected by the virus, praying that those  still undergoing treatment will recover their sound health soon.

“Our association is also concerned and worried about the dire economic crisis the pandemic have thrown the world into,hoping that things will normalize soon in every aspect of human lives;as the search for a permanent cure and eradication of the COVID-19 intensifies across the globe.

“Following these developments, the leadership of our association having studied the present trend of events in the world and in our country Nigeria,especially Lagos State,and after due consultations and deliberations with markets leaders affiliated to our association, hereby arrive at the following,with the title LIFE FIRST.

LIFE FIRST:
“Since it is only the living that transacts business,we assume its wiser for our members to be alive, in other to be engaged in their daily businesses, hence measures to protect their lives at this critical time should be employed.

“ We therefore advise all markets affiliated to our association and other markets in Lagos State, to direct their members to buy and stock foodstuff that will sustain their families in the next couple of weeks between today,‪Tuesday March 24th to Thursday March 26th‬,and close their shops,offices, showrooms, warehouses and markets temporarily from, ‪Friday March 27th to Friday April 4th, 2020‬, as we study events as they unfold.

“Market Executives should ensure that temperature testing kits are provided for the appropriate officers in the market to screen both members and customers in their markets,while the appropriate officers should ensure that every shop or showroom provide hand washing spots and keep hand sanitizers handy when their markets reopen.

“We advise our members to stay at home during this temporal market shutdown, and maintain social distancing of at least 6feet spacing in any public facilities; also observe other measures as directed or may be directed by relevant health agencies.

“We advise all our members to adhere strictly to any information or directives from the Lagos State Government and other relevant regulatory bodies relating to curtailing the spread of the COVID-19.

“We regret any inconvenience these measures may cause our members,our customers and the general public but reminding us again that ONLY THE LIVING WILL TRANSACT BUSINESS(LIFE FIRST),while praying and hoping that God will intervene very soon to save Nigeria and entire world from this precarious situation.”