Following the re-opening of markets after a total lockdown for some months, traders has complained a lot of things ranging from expiration of goods, damages from rain fall, rats, inadequate air and long package; linking the lockdown directive as a blessing in disguise.
It would be recalled that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Ezenwo Nyesom Wike on March 2020, directed that all markets be shutdown with stringent compliance to Covid-19 protocol as measures to combat the spread of the virus in the state, but after an interactive session with the market associations, he declared that markets be opened on Tuesday 18, August,2020, with full adherence to Covid-19 protocols, such as the washing of hands, wearing of face masks, and social distancing.
Investigations from our reporter in Port Harcourt, revealed that there was a total compliance to the Covid-19 directive on both buyers and sellers; adding to low turnout of buyers and sellers.
It was also seen that buckets of water, soap were placed at each strategic positions at the enterance of the market, while traders were observing clean up exercise, discarding expired and spoilt items.
At Mile 1 market, a trader identified as Mr. Blessings complained so much about loss.
“Hmmm, odiegwu oooh. Madam this whole thing tire me. where I go even begin self? My hope is in Christ. All my goods are finished. I’m into provisions business both wholesale and retailing. Rats has eaten up many cartons of goods here, some damaged by rain fall, some has even expired while many others are close to expiration.
“I will just auction those close to expiration at a give away prices, do away with the spoilt ones, then start all over again. That’s life for you, can’t kill myself”, he stated.
From another business person in Big tree market Iwofe St. Johns, who gave her name as Mrs. Ifeoma. According to her, the re-opening of the market was a good one as it will benefit many business people, though complained it’s going to affect her business some how.
“It’s really going to affect me in a way shaa, but no problem it’s for the good of every body. Since this lockdown eeh, it’s only shops that were allowed to open, so my shop in front was not included so we were making enough sells, as no way for people to enter inside market, thank God it’s a good development”, she stated.
