Traders cluster despite COVID-19 spread

By Sunmola Olowookere

In spite of continued increase in the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ondo State at the Oba’s market in Akure still cluster together in flagrant disregard of the social distancing order.

Currently, the State has recorded 20 positive cases. A visit to the market revealed that traders were not wearing protective mask and were staying very close to one another despite the risk of contracting the virus.

It would be recalled that government held meetings with the leadership of the markets in order to sensitise them on ways of guiding against contracting the novel coronavirus.

The Erelu-Iyaloja of Akure Kingdom, Chief Mrs Adefunmilayo Adekanye, also sensitized the market traders in Akure South Local Government on the necessity for the market closure and equally charged them to abide by the Ondo state government’s directives on closure of all markets.

She equally said that this order was applicable to all other markets in the state and not only in Akure.

She urged them to adhere strictly with Tuesdays and Thursdays market days approved by the Ondo State Government.

She had also impressed it upon them the state government’s decision that any violator will be arrested and prosecuted by the law enforcement agencies.

She maintained that only depot market like Shasha, Iloro, etc can sell on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays only.

She quipped that the approved products for sale should not exceed food stuffs, water, and other perishable products.

A trader, Mrs Grace Olayinka while commending the efforts of the Ondo State government on combating the spread of the pandemic complained that the two days in which they are allowed to open markets are insufficient and ineffective in tackling their challenges.

A motorcyclist, Abiodun Yinusa said that the economy of the country is so poor that the masses have no choice but to come out and seek means of making ends meet.