ABEOKUTA– A clergyman and Educationist, Prof. David Bamgbose has warned the Federal Government to consider the economic implications of another lockdown without proper palliatives on the citizens.
Speaking with Newsmen in Abeokuta, Prof. Bamgbose said though there is need to take cognisance of the second wave of Covid-19 spread in the country, it is however imperative to consider the needs of the citizens before taking any hasty decisions.
He however question the rationale behind the recent guidelines issued by the Presidential Task Force, led by Boss Mustapha, adding that there are other social economic issues that calls for urgent attention other than covid-19.
In his words, ” So, already as we speak today, the economy of Nigeria is in recession, a second recession in the tenure of this administration
“Therefore, the think tank of the government must think of the economic impact of this lockdown on the citizens before those decisions.
“Covid-19 has been with us for quite some time now, how many people died in Nigeria.? About 1000+, but not up to 2000. Can you compare that to how many people have died due to lack of food, starvation, poverty and basic health care facility in the last 12months?
“Maybe the government don’t know that many people are dying everyday from lack of food, from diseases like Malaria that can be treated. And you cannot compare the statistics of death from these diseases to that of Covid-19 that will warrant this kind of emergency or lockdown.
“So, the people they think they want to help and preserve their lives are already been killed by the same government if they can’t provide them food.
The university don, who also called himself a major stakeholder in the project Ogun State and Nigeria warned that if the coming year is not properly managed, it may end up a messed up year just like 2020 occasioned by the covid-19 pandemic.
“Look at Lagos State for example, all you hear are measures and threaths, there were no mention of support for the citizens.
“The Europeans that we are trying to copy are making plans for Lockdown with commensurate measure to cushion the effects on the citizens
“We must not mess up 2021 the way 2020 was messed up. Government must think of what the effect of the lockdown will bring inform of hardship on the citizens before any decisions must be taken” he stressed
