An Apex socio-political Youth Association in the Southeast, Coalition Of Southeast Youths Leaders (COSEYL), has reacted over the decision by the federal and state government to shut down economic and business activities in the country due to the outbreak of covid – 19 virus that has killed many across the globe.
COSEYL stated that lack of financial assistance to citizens to help cushion the effect of the lock-down will lead to hardship, suffering and untimely deaths of Nigerians who survive from their day-to-day menial jobs to feed their love ones and families.
The group in a statement signed by its President General, Chief Goodluck Egwu Ibem, said although, “they support government plans to curtail and contain the spread of the deadly and killer virus but to ask people to stay in-doors without providing an alternative way of feeding and survival will lead to more deaths than what the Corona virus would have killed”.
The full statements reads below…
“American Government for instance is paying the it’s citizens weekly to feed and take care of their basic needs like feeding, medication, and other needful commodities for survival.
“It is anti-people and insensitive for any government elected by the people to run and manage its affairs to wake one morning and ask people to stop going out to fend for their families without providing an alternative way of survival for the people.
“Total lockdown of businesses and economic activities without providing any financial support to citizens is a death sentence by the Federal and State Government on Nigerians.
“This is the time we know a government that truly care for its citizens. Governance is not just collecting federal allocations, generating revenues, collecting security votes and living a luxury life style at the expence of the masses who elected the leaders.
“The Governors of the South East zone should liaise with the federal government to ensure that funds are made available for the people of Southeast in order to cushion the effects of the immediate shutdown of economic activities in the zone.
“At the meantime, the South East Governors should provide some money for its citizens through their BVN while waiting for the federal government to enable people to get foods and other necessities for their families.
“If money is not provided for the people before they lock down we might have excessive hunger, sickness and untimely death which will be disastrous. Some persons who have no means of taking care of themselves or families might resought to crime which will lead to a state of anarchy and lawlessness in the country.
“It better for the federal and state government to take necessary steps that will ensure that the fear of Corona virus does not lead to a situation whereby our laws will no longer be respected by the people because of hunger and untimely deaths brought upon them by the lockdown of economic activities.
“We therefore call on the Federal government so immediately make funds available for it’s citizens to get food and other essential items so that people will not die before the time. Hungers kills faster than Corona virus.
