COVID 19: Is Nigeria not already suffering from the effect?
Posted by FACTNEWS | 4 years ago | 1,259 times
By John Okiyi Kalu
Based on available information, Nigeria appears to be currently free from Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) that has brought the world to its knees. The two previously confirmed cases have now been fully tested and the victims declared negative. Test results also show that the suspected case in Enugu is negative and as at today the country is free from the virus that brought global economy and social life to a standstill.
Yet, the virus is already having profound impact on the nation even without any new infection reported. Just recently, it was reported that the Minister for Transportation, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, declared that the effect of the virus is responsible for the stalling of the railway project being executed by the Chinese in Nigeria. According to him: “Lagos-Ibadan (rail line) would have been ready in May. Unfortunately, nearly all of them that went for the Chinese New Year were quarantined by their government.
Their government said they cannot come back until they find a solution to the Coronavirus. It is only those who didn’t travel that are here and therefore the speed of the construction has reduced,” Amaechi said.
Similarly, most businesses in the country that depends on imports from China, Europe and America are slowly grinding to a halt. Not even traders are spared. Just last weekend, it emerged that traders at the popular Alaba International Market are contemplating closing the market as they have virtually exhausted the wares they imported for sale. Alaba international market is one the centers of commerce in the country with businesses worth billions of naira transacted monthly there. Also, the Nigeria stock market has been heavily hit by stock losses linked to COVID-19.
Back home in Abia State, two major infrastructure projects have been slowed down by the associated effects of the global outbreak of COVID-19: Osisioma Interchange and Ahaba Umueze Teaching Hospital Road both in Aba. Both projects were awarded to a Chinese company, China Zhonghou Construction Company, who were expected to have accelerated work on the flyover to ensure that all piling and establishment of riser and descent works are done within this dry window as well as complete the reconstruction of Ahaba Umueze Teaching Hospital Road. Most of the drains along Teaching Hospital Road are in place already.
Chinese New Year officially began on January 25th, 2020, and ended on February 4th, 2020. Many of the Chinese staff handling those projects traveled to celebrate the festival but were caught up in the Coronavirus crisis, hence, could not return to the country. As a result, only very few of the expatriates remained at the project site and they have continued to work on the flyover, albeit at a slower pace than planned. They do not have enough manpower to deliver the Ahaba Umueze Road project and the state government is reluctant to permit the experts to return till the Coronavirus crisis is reasonably under control.
Governor Ikpeazu will rather take the blame for the slow pace of work at those two sites than risk the life of any Abian on the altar of speed.
Ultimately, the projects will be completed and put into public use but the need to protect our people from the deadly Coronavirus overrides every other consideration.
In Anambra State, for example, it is reported that Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, has suspended the Chinese language program and asked the expatriate lecturers to stay at home till further notice. According to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Charles Esimone, most of the Chinese Lecturers of the Confucius Institute of the University went on holiday last December and they had to stop them from coming back immediately the disease broke out early this year. Obviously the students will also not be comfortable studying under the current situation.
With incoming reports on the devastating effects of COVID-19 in Europe and America, it is preposterous to assume that we are in anyway immune from the virus. Even if it is established that the virus can not survive temperatures above 34 degrees, it must be known that these organisms are capable of mutating without warning, naturally or through scientific manipulation. With our way of life centered around communal and regular social interactions, COVID-19 will easily spread within our environment with devastating effects to the economy and human life.
Our best approach as a country is to prepare as if the virus is pushing on our doors. Lackadaisical approach to prevention will definitely be regretted by those managing our country as this virus has already paralyzed the strongest economies of the world. Let us fully suspend air travels to and fro affected countries including outgoing and incoming cargoes of all types. Similar measures should be taken at both our land and water borders for at least one month as this outbreak will likely peak in March and start receding in April.
Unless we handle things as if the disease is already here, we will ultimately regret our nonchalant attitude. Lock down the country and teach our people how to prevent infection, with emphasis on sanitation and reduced human to human contact; provide testing facilities in all the 36 states and commence activities aimed at increasing production of essential materials like tissues, water, oxygen and other drugs required to manage the infection as well as store up food materials.
Ekwuolam nkem!
-JOK
NB: Shortly before posting this it emerged that Lagos May have recorded another new Coronavirus case.
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