By Daniel Tyokua
Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello and the traders have agreed to chart a common front in the fight against coronavirus pandemic spread in markets.
The minister and committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of the various market associations in the nation’s capital reached the agreement when the committee visitedthe minister.
They pledged their support for the efforts of the FCT Administration in containing the spread of COVID-19 in the Territory.
This pledge was made at the weekend when a delegation from the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of the various market associations in the FCT paid a courtesy visit to the FCT Administration.
Chairman of the Committee, Mr Raphael Okechukwu Okorie who is also the Chairman of the Wuse Market Traders Association, said that the Committee was in the FCTA to show appreciation to the FCT Minister for the way he is successfully managing the pandemic in the FCT.
He however said that the Association will like to see an easing of the lockdown especially on market operational days. The market associations, he said, would like the markets to open 3 times a week and also allow for the selling of other commodities besides food items which is currently in effect.
The Honourable Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello in his response thanked the market associations for making economic activities in the FCT very vibrant and their support for the FCTA in the fight against COVID-19.
Malam Bello said that the FCT Administration had taken note of the requests from the Market Associations and will present them during its weekly COVID-19 review meetings for further discussions. He however reminded the leaders of the various market associations that despite increasing the number of business hours from 8:00 am to 3:00pm, from the initial 10:00 am to 2:00pm,the activities at the markets still left a lot to be desired in terms of social distancing.
He also called for the continuous cooperation of traders and market association in the FCT in the fight against COVID-19 while praying that God will guide all to do the right things.
