The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), on Thursday, reopened Jumia Warehouse situated at Surulere industrial road, off Allen Avenue, in Ikeja Lagos.
LASEPA disclosed the latest development through a public notice that was conveyed through its official Twitter handle.
UPDATE!!
Jumia's warehouse situated at Surulere industrial road, Off Allen, Ikeja has been reopened .@followlasg@Mr_JAGs @safety_lasg #LagosAgainstCovid19 #SocialDistanacing— LASEPA (@LasepaInfo) April 1, 2020
Recall that the warehouse was earlier sealed off by the agency, for allegedly contravening the lockdown order given by the Federal Government as part of ongoing efforts to contain the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria.
Reason for the unsealing: According the agency, the warehouse was reopened after it was established that the online store could be classified as an ‘essential supplier.’
Some part of LASEPA’s explanation on the matter said:
“Having established that Jumia can be classified as an ‘Essential supplier’ as contained in the Infectious Disease Regulation signed by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the 27th March 2020.”
(READ MORE: Lagos seals off Jumia warehouse for contravening lock-down order)
Having established it can be classified as an 'Essential supplier’ as contained in the Infectious Disease Regulation signed by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the 27th March, 2020.@followlasg@Mr_JAGs#LagosAgainstCovid19#StayAtHome
— LASEPA (@LasepaInfo) April 1, 2020
The initial shutdown of the online retail store’s warehouse had provoked reactions from social media users. Many Nigerians on Twitter disapproved of the move, arguing that Jumia should not be closed at a time when residents had been ordered to stay at home.
Others noted that the doorstep delivery service offered by the Jumia, provided respite for residents by bringing them much-needed home supplies that they could not go out to purchase for themselves at this point in time.
Now responding to the reopening, Nigerians have demanded that the agency should tender an apology to Jumia for sealing its warehouse without first ascertaining the facts.
What you should know: Following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, Jumia has rolled out several innovations in order to safely meet its customers’ needs.
(READ MORE: Rocket Internet sells stake in Jumia, as eCommerce firm struggles with post-IPO scandal)
One of such innovations is a new method of delivery called the Contactless Delivery. It is a safety measure for customers, which encourages adherence to the social distancing directives.
The online store also entered into a partnership with Reckitt Benckiser to avail its customers of several hygiene products at affordable prices during the lockdown.
On the same day its warehouse was shut down, the company had announced its partnership with Lagos State Government on MyHandsAreSafe campaign, as an information tool to curb further spread of COVID-19.
Other places that were sealed during the enforcement exercise last Wednesday include a Chinese firm and a brothel.
ENFORCEMENT EXERCISE.
Lagos COVID-19 Taskforce seals off, Jumia warehouse, Chinese Firm, brothel and others for non compliance with executive orders on lock down. #StaySafe #StayAtHome #COVID19#LagosAgainstCovid19 @safety_lasg @Mr_JAGs @followlasg pic.twitter.com/EdCDH95nG1
— LASEPA (@LasepaInfo) April 1, 2020