COVID-19: We Will Review The Lockdown In Lagos State, Governor Assures Business Owners

By Daniel Dafe

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that his administration is considering reviewing the lockdown of the state.

The governor made his plans known at the second virtual meeting with business owners in the state on Wednesday, April 15.

The governor assured them that “strategic relaxation of the lockdown may be implemented.”

ThisDay reports that the meeting was attended by 28 Managing Directors/CEOs of organised businesses and companies in Nigeria. The state government’s team to the meeting was led by Sanwo-Olu and supported by the Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo.

Sanwo-Olu also promised the CEOs that he would speak to the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele, to address the issues of charges on cash deposits and cheque clearing, especially during the lockdown.

He also promised to speak with the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, to facilitate the fast-tracking of clearance of essential raw materials from Lagos ports as well as speaking with his colleagues in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to enhance the ease of access to passage for businesses in their states.

“More assistance will be given to (business) organisations involved in packaging to enable them to support other essential sectors,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor, however, sought the assurance of the captains of business community that supply and distribution of essential goods and products would continue in the state.

He urged them “to ensure stability of prices during this critical period and post COVID-19 period as the purchasing power of the masses would likely be weakened and adversely impacted by the scourge.”

Sanwo-Olu also urged businesses to “endeavour to ensure that job security is guaranteed.”

He assured them that his office would “be open to further collaboration and suggestions in writing from organised businesses on how to drive growth and development in Lagos state.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu also assured the business community that efforts are on to address the security challenges in some parts of the state. He informed that “the security architecture is being led by an Assistant Inspector General of Police,” adding that “the security agents have been briefed to act professionally and responsibly.