As part of safety measures to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, the Warri South Council Chairman, Dr. Michael Tidi has shut down the popular Igbudu Market in Warri, Delta State over the failure of traders to observe the “Social Distance” order.
The closure of the market which began Sunday midnight is coming two days ahead of Governor Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa’s shutdown order which will begin April,1.
It was learnt that Pessu, Okere,Ugbuwangue and main markets were operational in the heat of the panic of Coronavirus.
In a chat with newsmen, the Council boss said,”The closure of the market is not to punish anybody” stressing that,”It is for their own good.
“People should not give it unnecessary interpretation. By midnight today, nobody will even come out. The issue of people trying to insinuate that it has anything to do with Ethno-political differences is totally out of place.
” Go to ATM’s now, the lockdown is almost being experienced. So, by 12 midnight tomorrow, there is no market that will exist.
While noting that the congestion in the market is getting worse, Dr. Tidi said, “If Government does not take the decision, they will blame Government.”
In a swift reaction, a community leader in Igbudu, Mr. Gift Idiegbe said,”There is ethnic undertone to the closure of the market.
Idiegbe in a telephone chat with DAILY POST said if nothing is done to address the issue, it could cause anarchy in the area.
“As we speak, Ugbuwague, Okere and main markets are open. Why is it that it is only Igbudu market which belongs to the Urhobo people of Warri that will be shut down?”
