The decision of the Lagos State government to restrict movements to prevent the spread of COVID-19 without allegedly making meaningful alternative survival plan for the people of the state is a case of insensitivity and callousness, the Lagos State Chapter of the Socialist Party of Nigeria, SPN, has declared.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Chairperson, Rufus Olusesan and Publicity Secretary, Shoyombo Monsuru, the group said the government should have contacted necessary stakeholders to fashion out a workable programme.
The statement reads in part: “For us, it is the height of insensitivity and callousness to restrict movement without a meaningful alternative survival plan in an economy where the vast majority are daily small income earners such as artisans, traders, etc.
“While we recognize lockdown as a necessity to curb the spread of COVID-19, we are equally of the opinion that a government and the ruling elite that truly care for the masses would have consulted with the trade unions, pro-labour organisations, farmers, traders associations, etc., with a view to ushering in comprehensive palliatives that will include cash donations to the working masses as well as workable plans on how to distribute food, medicines and other consumables during the period of lockdown.”
The group also condemned the Federal Government saying its survival plan promised by President Muhammadu Buhari for the poor was like “a bucket of water in an ocean.”
“It must be noted that unlike top political office holders and the rich in general who must have stocked their store of foodstuff and consumables that could last they and their families longer time and who have enough money to buy additional items even if the lockdown last two years, the many workers and the poor can hardly survive a few days of .
“We are therefore demanding that the Lagos State government and the federal government should subject the stimulus package and relief palliatives to open, transparent and democratic management by elected representatives of the trade unions, pro-people organizations and associations.
“We are also demanding adequate funding of the stimulus package to include cash donations and distribution of food and consumables to the poor. This relief committee will report daily to the public how much funds have been spent and how the funds and food items were disbursed. We also demand that the cash donations to the poor should be N50,000 to all working class and the poor households.
“We call on the Lagos State Councils of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, United Labour Congress and Federation of Informal Workers’ Organizations of Nigeria should organise independent community-based control committees,” the party said.
