Following the unanimous decision of all the 36 states governors that the Federal Government should announce a national lockdown of 14 days in order to contain the further spread of COVID-19; the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has called on the Buhari-led administration not to extend the order.
According to the union, such decision might cause social unrest in the affected states and the Federal Capital Territory.
In a letter addressed to the chairman of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 and dater April 14, 2020; which the NLC president, Ayuba Wabba signed, the union also frowned at the method the FG employed in the distribution of the palliative measure; calling for the expansion of the initiative to all Nigerians that the pandemic affected.
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The union said, “While we understand the public health imperatives for extending the lockdown in some parts of the country; it is also very important to underscore the fact that the states currently under total lockdown are the economic and administrative nerve centres of Nigeria.
“This is very dicey. As much as it is important to keep many Nigerians from dying in the hands of coronavirus; loss of income and the accompanying destitution can also be a pathfinder for numerous other sicknesses; and deaths. This is the time to play the balancing game.
“The truth is that our economy might relapse into prolonged coma; if the current lockdown in the nation’s nerve centres goes beyond the current extension.
“There were widespread acts of civil disobedience; inducement of law enforcement agents to gain passes and even various forms of violent crimes.
“No one is sure how long this dam would hold. We fear that the situation will get out of hand if the lockdown exceeds one month.
“While we commend government for being proactive, we opine that the stimulus package; would be best served through consultation with social partners.
“Labour and private sector employers have a good understanding of industries where jobs; and production are in most danger.”
With this total lockdown ,that fg will approved from Monday how will people is going to manage without food being provide ,nothing from the government to assist the individual.