By Carl Umegboro
THE presidential directives which restricted movement in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos and Ogun states, aimed at checkmating the spread of the dreadful coronavirus is, unfortunately making lives agonizing to the residents due to unavailability of electricity supply by the electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).
President Muhammadu Buhari in his broadcast to the nation exempted power generation, transmission and distribution companies from the curfew. But facts on ground doesn’t clearly show if they are at home or on duty as their services are unavailable from investigations in these areas particularly in Abuja and Lagos.
“This order does not apply to hospitals and all related medical establishments as well as organizations in health care related manufacturing and distribution. Furthermore, commercial establishments such as; food processing, distribution and retail companies; petroleum distribution and retail entities, power generation, transmission and distribution companies; and private security companies are also exempted”, Buhari stated.
Sadly, many residents have stocked edibles and food items that require preservation with electricity at home to enable them cope with the curfew. This is abysmal failure of the power sector, and something needs to be done urgently. Hence, the authorities should call these DisCos to order.
Apart from unavailability of electricity, there are outcries in Lagos over wastes/refuses that litter every nooks and crannies of the state. And from the way the curfew is going, many more sicknesses may show up due to these ugly developments if unchecked alongside monumental stresses and sufferings residents are being subjected to.
In fact, by what is on ground, federal government should have announced a first 7-day curfew, subject to extension afterwards instead of the 14-day knowing that nothing is actually on ground to lessen the burdens on people. In most countries that declared ‘stay-at-home, the system is working with citizens data in place unlike in Nigeria the data of the vulnerable class are unavailable. And that makes it easy and possible to pay relief package to some classes of citizens in those countries.
Arguably, most of the poor masses in Nigeria have not been captured in any records which will make it difficult for them to benefit from the proposed relief packages. It therefore means that the funds earmarked for relief may not get to the target less-privileged persons as usual but to privileged ones.
The Covid-19 committee must explain the criteria in sharing the funds to the vulnerable people if the ‘change mantra’ has truly affected the psyche of people in government unlike before. This is a test case for government. If there’s no clear means for the funds being raised by concerned citizens to get to the grassroots and accounted for, ideally, the funds could be channeled to essential projects with viability and value to the people.
Umegboro is a public affairs analyst and Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom). 08023184542 – SMS only. Https:CarlUmegboro.com