By Adebisi Onanuga
Former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Monday Ubani has said that the only way to reduce the spread of coronavirus is for the Federal Government to extend lockdown to every part of the country.
Ubani said it is the only solution for now to avoid community infection.
“The purpose of the extension is not far fetched, as evidence from other nations afflicted with the virus is scary, death upon death with rapid spread of infection of the virus on the citizens.
“News from other continents also showed that their leaders have extended total lockdown of their countries to minimise the spread of the deadly virus amongst their citizens,” Ubani said.
He regretted that the presidential address “fell short” in addressing the attendant issues associated with the shutdown of economic, social and family lives in the country.
Ubani said: “The issue of comprehensive palliatives to the citizens and insecurity arising from the shutdown were not adequately treated in the address.
“Nigerians that depend on daily business, work, trade have been under distress since the lockdown and the further extension will not be palatable to them and their families if help is not forthcoming from any source.
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“Already armed robbery, breaking of homes and shops have become rampant in some parts of Lagos and Ogun states since the lockdown.
“The extension as announced will aggravate the rate of crime in the aforementioned areas. It is appalling that the President’s address did not give adequate attention to the issues and how they should be comprehensively tackled.”
He said the decision of the Federal Government to issue additional order will shed light on areas that may create friction between the Federal and the state governments possibly to avoid the kind of regrettable situation presently in Rivers State.
“The laws or orders of the Federal Government should cover the field in any area where there is a conflict of laws or executive orders between the federal and the component units. Therefore, the additional order is meant to achieve that purpose in the fight against the pandemic”, he said.
Ubani advised further that both the States and Federal Government should form a symbiotic synergy and initiate “a more strategic and innovative manner to address the deficient method of the present social intervention method deployed.”
According to him, it has failed to address the harsh economic situation caused by the total lockdown.
Ubani added: “Virtually all the state governments have announced total lockdown and restriction of movements in their domain, therefore everyone is hurting, both rich and poor. They need attention as many are saying that hunger may be more deadly than the coronavirus if not addressed by the government.”
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