Ogun Speaker's Kinsmen Defy Sit-At-Home Order, As Deputy Governor Frowns At Poor Compliance In Ota

Ogun Deputy-Governor during her spot assessment visit in Ota on Friday

Michael-Azeez Ogunsiji

ABEOKUTA - The people of Arigbajo and Ifo in Ifo local government area of Ogun state may have incurred the wrath of the federal government over their poor compliance to the sit-at-home order.

The federal government had last week announced total lockdown of Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states to curtail the spread of the global pandemic disease, coronavirus. 

However, despite the Ogun state government plea to allow the people to stockpile foodstuff at home, the Ogun Speaker's kinsmen were seen displaying their market.

When THE ENCOUNTER NEWS visited the junction where the popular Ifo bread is being sold, there were hundreds of people on the street hawking, while the 'area boys' were also busy playing music by the roadside from their portable MP3. 

Although, all shops were under key and lock, but stalk owners were seen displaying their wares, while few commercial buses and motorcycles were also operating.

Picture showing people walking around in Ifo while pepper sellers and other hawkers selling by the roadside.

Similarly, few stalk owners were seen selling goods at the ever busy Sango-Ota flyover bridge. 

The Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele during her spot assessment visit round the town, frowned at the poor level of compliance by some residents of Ado Odo Ota Local Government  Area of the  state during the first day of lockdown as part of measures to combat the spread of Coronavirus pandemic in the State. 

Engr. Salako-Oyedele who expressed dissatisfaction said food banks set up by the State Government were to assist the poor and the vulnerable to cushion the effect during the period of lockdown and for easy distribution of stimulus package to residents of the areas, said government would not spare anyone caught violating the lockdown rules. 

"On the violators, I have  met with Ota Area Commander on my way and let me reiterate that the law must be obeyed and nobody would be spared. We will also continue to engage our law enforcement agencies to make sure that they support us to be able to achieve our mission. I also call on individuals to self-police themselves" she stated. 

The Deputy Governor added that though it may not be convinient for people to stay at home for long, she  however urged residents to respect state government directives for their own good, noting that the community spread of the disease was increasing on a daily basis, hence anyone who has it and move around others, is capable of infecting more people.

In her words, the Deputy Governor said  ''some people still don't understand that the relief packages are meant for the less privileged in our communities, they do not also understand that the distribution was not based on party affiliations, neither for voters nor everybody, but the relief packages are meant for those that would suffer untold hardship as a result of the lockdown. Government has also set up committees in each Local Government area that would identify the targeted citizens".

TRACE Area Commander, Ogun West, Ajibade 

Meanwhile, the Area Commander, Ogun State Traffic and Compliance Corps (TRACE), Ogun West, Commander Adekunle Ajibade said the Corps has arrested two commercial drivers operating at Sango-Ota axis. 

Ajibade while addressing journalists at the Sango-Ota tollgate said the Corps has directed its officers across the Ogun West senatorial district to ensure no vehicular movement, saying those arrested have been added over to the police.