The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed concern over the plight of daily wage workers due to the lockdown, and is making plans to provide succour to them.
This was disclosed earlier today by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who also serves as the Head of the Economic Sustainability Committee that was recently set up by the Presidency. He tweeted this:
“Many of our citizens are daily wage workers and the President has expressed concerns about this. We are now thinking of ways to provide succour for the period they are unable to work.”
Many of our citizens are daily wage workers and the President has expressed concerns about this. We are now thinking of ways to provide succour for the period they are unable to work. pic.twitter.com/TEJeCCM728
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) April 11, 2020
The VP added that the Economic Sustainability Committee is also going a step ahead to think of how the economy would be stabilised after the pandemic, to alleviate long-term consequences.
“There are many concerns associated with the lockdown. We are concerned about how the economy will remain stable, how jobs can be protected and ways to create new jobs where possible.
“We believe that together, Nigeria will prevail!”
There are many concerns associated with the lockdown. We are concerned about how the economy will remain stable, how jobs can be protected and ways to create new jobs where possible.
We believe that together, Nigeria will prevail!
— Prof Yemi Osinbajo (@ProfOsinbajo) April 11, 2020
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He further noted that the Economic Sustainability Committee would soon submit its comprehensive report to President Muhammadu Buhari. The report will detail the thoughts and ideas of members on the best way forward for Nigeria.
The president had set up the committee on March 29, after declaring a 14-day lockdown in the FCT, Lagos and Ogun States. Members of the committee were charged to come up with short and long term palliative measures for Nigerians and the Nigerian economy.
As you may well know, there have been calls from several quarters asking the government to provide financial support to low income earners in the country. These calls have specifically been directed at the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development to widen the list of vulnerable people.
As popular social/political commentator, Dr Joe Abah has noted, many artisans in big cities like Lagos have greatly been affected by the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown measure that was taken by the Presidency.
During this lockdown, my heart goes out to those artisans that work for daily pay. I can’t imagine what electricians, plumbers, hairdressers, barbers, mechanics and bricklayers are currently going through now, not being able to make a living. May the good Lord strengthen you all.
— Dr. Joe Abah (@DrJoeAbah) April 10, 2020
Mr President God will bless you for your good work in Nigeria, please Mr President the poor Nigerians are still coming out everyday by day because there is no money in the house to eat food and our polartion is going up everyday by day on Corona virus. Mr President, please I’m a poor Boy no mother no father my account no is 0027586191 Access Bank my Name Dike Eze Stanley. God will bless you abundantly Mr President thanks.
God know the concrete ways to make you and your Grandson to suffer for the suffering masses are going through. Your daily claims is an invalid to provide relief material or funds for the masses. Lockdown still on and Nigerian has been dying of hunger because no single case of covid-19 in Nigeria!