The leadership of Market Leaders and Traders’ Association of Nigeria, Lagos Chapter,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, today asked its members across the state to close all the markets in Lagos State to stop the spread of the deadly disease.
In a release this afternoon, the leaders of the Association, led the President and Secretary, Comrade Christopher Okpala and Comrade Okey Enwuru respectively, expressed their concern about the incursion of COVID-19 into Nigeria.
“Our hearts go out to the Families and Countries that have lost tens,hundreds or thousands of their citizens especially health workers and care givers to the virus,as we pray for the peaceful repose of their souls.
“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.”
The statement continued that, “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:
“It is only the living that transacts business”
They added that it is wiser for their 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.