Akure ‘Shasha’ Market now opens 2 days on, off

By Adekola Afolabi

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The Ondo state Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has warned the leadership of the popular Shasha market in Akure to limit the crowds in the market to prevent the spread of Coronavirus pandemic.

The governor handed down the warning yesterday during an unscheduled visit to the market.

Akeredolu was in company of heads of security agencies in the state and other top government officials.

He expressed concern for the large crowd in the market despite the order on social distancing and dusk to dawn curfew in the state.

He made reference to Kano state where the Covid-19 pandemic had claimed so many lives due to non compliance with social distancing.

According to Akeredolu, the Shahsha market will now have two days on, and two days off with effect from today Friday.

“They have been given the grace to sell their commodities till Friday. No market on Saturday and Sunday, but the market will open on Monday and Tuesday.

“There are too many people here. People come in here, and it is so full because everybody is clustered together,” Akeredolu stressed.

Governor Akeredolu directed the deployment of police personnel in the market to enforce the social distancing order.

Earlier, Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, Undie Adie, said his officers would be deployed to partner with the leaders, and to ensure that all rules concerning social distancing and operations of the market were strictly adhered to.

On his part, Shehu Ibrahim, the Seriki of Shahsha market, who earlier asked governor Akeredolu for the grace to sell their commodities between now and Friday, appreciated the governor for his efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.

He informed all the traders, customers and other stakeholders in the market  that the market would now operate two days on, and two days off, starting from today Friday.