COVID-19: Ogun govt relaxes lockdown

As the COVID-19 outbreak tightens its grip, state governments across the country are being forced to relax the lockdown policy to ameliorate the effect of the order. Ogun state government has also reviewed its order, exempting Dangote trucks from the restriction because of the “essential multi-sectoral services the company render to the public.”

The state government earlier relaxed the total lockdown which commenced at 11 pm on Friday in the state to give space for economic activities to thrive. According to the governor, the lockdown will be relaxed between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm every 48 hours.

During this time, the governor announced markets and motor parks will be fumigated and essential services allowed to operate.

But in a statement signed by the secretary to the state government, Tokunbo Talabi, Dangote group of company’s trucks are shielded from the new arrangement. In the words of the secretary, trucks from the company should be granted unrestricted movement in the state.

“This is to confirm that Dangote Plc. trucks are exempted from the restriction of movement and total lockdown of the state as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. You are requested to permits the trucks to move freely within the state because of the essential multi-sectoral services the company renders to the public,” he directed.

President Buhari had, in his last nationwide broadcast, announced the cessation of movement in Lagos, Ogun and the FCT for an initial period of 14 days to contain the spread of the virus.

As at the time of filing this report, four cases of coronavirus has been recorded in the state.