By Daniel Tyokua
As coronavirus pandemic cases continued to rise in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the residents have listed their request to President Muhammadu Buhari as he ordered lock down of the territory for 14 days.
In a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, 35 days after the disease hit the country, Buhari declared that the curfew imposed on FCT, Lagos and Ogun was to curb the continued increase in the COVID-19 cases.
According to him, all citizens in these areas are to stay in their homes saying travel to or from other states should be postponed with effect from 11pm, March 30th,2020.
Following the President’s decision, FCT residents on Monday, urged Buhari to fasten steps that will provide relief materials and adequate security for masses especially the less privileged people.
One of the residents at Guzape area of Asokoro district, Bulus Iliya said the president should direct security agencies to tighten up measures across the nation’s capital.
He stated that despite the present situation most individuals will use the opportunity to perpetrate crime in the name of hardship, the development he said must be well checked.
David Ehile, a furniture maker at Kugbo market in Karu area of Abuja, told The AUTHORITY that most of them survives on what they make and sale, which he said if there are no urgent measures to cushion down the effect, the government’s decision will lead to another situation.
He said: “President Buhari yesterday asked people in Abuja not to go out for 14 days to contain the disease but how fast are we going to access the palliatives he promised especially we the poor masses?.
“I commend his decision to stop activities that will bring an end to social gatherings, this alone would not solve the challenge. Again, only trusted individuals should be saddled with the responsibility of sharing relief items, and only to those who need them. The president yesterday assured us that there will be palliatives for Abuja and Lagos people, we are waiting for it.” he said.
Another trader, chief Tunwase Wasiu who specialises in building materials at Dei-Dei International Building Materials Market, in a telephone interview, said the government through the FCT Administration should ensure that all indigent residents are welcome captured in the government food support scheme mostly the rural dwellers.
He explained that government should identify areas or locations that are dominated by poor residents and make provision for their feeding.
Wasiu said:”The whole country is passing through tough times and people must sit up in discharging any responsibility assigned to them well. It is time for quick action, not only talk, if we are making provisions for drugs and other medical equipment, food with other essential items should also be included” he said.
For Tersoo Gbemaku, a father of 2, who stays in Karu area of Abuja, “President Buhari should use clergymen to reach poor residents and not politicians, FCT Administration should not be allowed to handle distribution of food items because the whole exercise will be hijacked by politicians within the area. This is a sensitive time for government to be more serious in handling human issues” he said.
