By Coronavirus’ Economic Knockout of Nigeria’s Working Class By Afeez Amure
As Coronavirus ravages through the world from the epic Centre in Wuhan, its economic effects can be felt more than imagined, no doubt, this is a litmus test for Nigeria’s flagging healthcare sector that has lacked proper funding in the last two decades. Mirroring a war scenario, the virus is raging without any social discrimination at both rich and poor and crumbling the working class structure. The global index of cases as at today stood at 722,350, deaths since the virus took hold in China at 33,980 and with only 151,766 of identified cases recovering.
Before the advent of coronavirus, Nigeria’s economy was considered to be fragile and with the announced lockdown of the Lagos State which happens to be the economic nerve Centre of the country and doubles as the epic Centre of the virus in Nigeria, there is no doubt going to be a huge economic loss within the next few weeks.
More than 70% per cent of Nigerian working population get their pay from their daily hustling, while the remaining 30% may face either pay cut or sack if the situation warrants. But business is business. Thus, while the government puts machinery in place to combat the virus, a waterproof economic plan post coronavirus needs to be put together, if not the country will be sitting on a keg of gun powder and possible recession difficult to manage.
Though to prevent the spread of the novel virus, various state governments have locked down their states by closing borders, banning social and religious gatherings and markets. But there is still a provable economic stimulus plan lacking. In the hierarchy of man’s needs, food is considered sacrosanct yet government lockdowns are ridden with the promise of possible support not actual support. Without a clear cut plan of action to get food to the most vulnerable of the population, a lockdown will be counter productive.
Though the Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Lagos State government has risen to the occasion and improvised to provide on-time information, Isolation Centre, fumigation of major hotspots and distributing foods stuff for the society’s vulnerable. There has not been an announced plan for the small and medium scale business which happens to be the fulcrum of the Lagos economy. In any economy, the private sector holds the ace of development, companies in Nigeria whose daily production has been halted by the restrictions needs support and measures to save them from bankruptcy and make them recover immediately after the pandemic. This is crucial in the recovery plan if the government is sincere about its campaign to be for the people.
As efforts are in top gear to contain the virus, Nigerians should take their destinies in their own hands and follow all the health organizations and government advice. Paramount is maintaining premium hygiene during this season and at all times. Citizens should wash their hands frequently, cough into the curve of arms, keep social distance, avoid large crowds, and do not touch any opening in the body like eyes, mouth, nose and inner ears without properly sanitizing their hands with an alcohol-based solution or wash with soap and water.
No doubt there are apprehensions across the country, it will end in praise.
Afeez AMURE
Political Analyst and Salesperson writes from Enugu
