One of the enduring
measures put in place by the Federal Government for Nigerians to stay at home
is the promise to receive the so-called palliatives. This was done to persuade,
particularly the Nigerian Civil Servants who survive on lean purse or borrowed loans
from numerous financial Institutions to stay at home. But four weeks into the
lockdown, some privileged Institutions and Service providers are capitalising
on the situation to feast on Nigerians. “I owe my bank some money and to my
surprise despite government intervention, they still deduct my money”, said a
fellow who prefer anonymity. Another fellow whose DSTV expired also expressed
shock that instead of the mouthed “temporal relief” as a result of the sudden
covid-19 pandemic which has disrupted private and commercial life, he was cut
off. “I don’t understand what’s going on”, he complained. “Our government lacks
the will to enforce policies”, he stated. That’s not all; these days Nigerians consume
double of what they used to in electricity consumption. “My meter runs faster
than before; last week, I had my light cut off because I did not renew my
credit” lamented Mr Eddy. “I thought we had been exempted from payments during these
difficult times”, he stressed. Truly, a discreet investigation show that
members of the public are actually on their own. The corona scourge has not
weakened the hands of “oppressors”, instead it has strengthened the rise of online
mobile banking and POS sales. “Everything is now electronic except physical
foodstuff purchase”, said Mr Eddy. “I buy everything online, something I hardly
did in the past”, he told us. “This is something new to us, we stopped church,
office, social meetings, and we are really helpless.” He regrets that powerful
institutions have taken advantage of their plight to add misery to their lives.
“Unfortunately, government is only effective on radio, television and comments
and lacked the will to rein in these merchants” he said, wishing that the
scourge ends abruptly.One of the enduring
measures put in place by the Federal Government for Nigerians to stay at home
is the promise to receive the so-called palliatives. This was done to persuade,
particularly the Nigerian Civil Servants who survive on lean purse or borrowed loans
from numerous financial Institutions to stay at home. But four weeks into the
lockdown, some privileged Institutions and Service providers are capitalising
on the situation to feast on Nigerians. “I owe my bank some money and to my
surprise despite government intervention, they still deduct my money”, said a
fellow who prefer anonymity. Another fellow whose DSTV expired also expressed
shock that instead of the mouthed “temporal relief” as a result of the sudden
covid-19 pandemic which has disrupted private and commercial life, he was cut
off. “I don’t understand what’s going on”, he complained. “Our government lacks
the will to enforce policies”, he stated. That’s not all; these days Nigerians consume
double of what they used to in electricity consumption. “My meter runs faster
than before; last week, I had my light cut off because I did not renew my
credit” lamented Mr Eddy. “I thought we had been exempted from payments during these
difficult times”, he stressed. Truly, a discreet investigation show that
members of the public are actually on their own. The corona scourge has not
weakened the hands of “oppressors”, instead it has strengthened the rise of online
mobile banking and POS sales. “Everything is now electronic except physical
foodstuff purchase”, said Mr Eddy. “I buy everything online, something I hardly
did in the past”, he told us. “This is something new to us, we stopped church,
office, social meetings, and we are really helpless.” He regrets that powerful
institutions have taken advantage of their plight to add misery to their lives.
“Unfortunately, government is only effective on radio, television and comments
and lacked the will to rein in these merchants” he said, wishing that the
scourge ends abruptly.
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