COVID 19: Water producers in Bayelsa lament, As Govt mulls market shutdown.

Business operators engaged in producing essential goods like water in Bayelsa on Tuesday said that they were grappling with additional costs imposed by restrictions over the corona virus pandemic.

Some operators who spoke with journalists in Yenagoa said that the restrictions placed by the government as part of its efforts on curbing the spread of the virus had imposed additional costs on their operations.

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The reaction is coming on the heels of public outcry on the increase in prices of essential goods like water, food items and other essentials.

Checks on Tuesday in Yenagoa indicate that a bag of 20 units of sachet water which used to sell for N100 now sells for N150 while a four litre paint container of garri that sold for N700 now sells for N1,500.

Dr Banabo Ekankumo , Manager, Aqualina Table Water,a major water production company in the state said that current realities due to the restriction has made it more difficult to produce at higher costs

 Mr Ebitimi Forcados of Fido Water collaborated Ekankumo’s view that operators are groaning over the high cost of production occasioned by the outbreak of the pandemic, multiple taxation and poor public electricity supply.

They said that they were constrained to pass the additional costs to remain in business as they spent more in bringing inputs from outside the state.

The duo reiterated that they have adhered to government’s guidelines of curbing the spread of the virus,saying the government should make incentives available for businesses to thrive in the state to make essential goods affordable.

In a related development, the Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa Ministry of Trade,Industry and Investment, Mr Tony Tombiri said the the government was thinking of closing markets but was yet to take a decision on it.

Tombiri said the Ministry is waiting the directives of Gov. Douye Diri who chairs the COVID-19 Task Force on the closure of Swali Ultra modern market in Yenagoa as part of its measures in containing the virus.

Tombiri stated that though the closure of the market may not augur well with the traders it remains the best alternative to reducing the spread of the highly contagious disease.

“We are waiting for government’s directive on the closure of the Swali market, the Swali market is owned by the state government.

“The other markets are owned by the Local Governments. Our major concern is the welfare of Bayelsa people if the virus spreads to the state,” he said.

Meanwhile,the Chairman,Swali Market Traders Association, Deacon Jackson Bobbra said he was yet to have any consultation with anybody or knowledge of a planned closure of the market.

Bobbra who said he has not been communicated by the government on the plan closure pleaded with the government to have a rethink of its action, saying while combating the outbreak of Covid 19 the citizens must not be kept to starve.

“Up until now I have not been communicated by the government on their planned closure of this market. I hear it as rumour. If this market is shutdown it will worsen the situation in the state,” he said.

 Meanwhile Gov Diri has relaxed the lockdown directive and told security agencies to allow vehicles laden with food, drugs, essential items and personnel on essential duties to come into the state.

Bayelsa government had earlier directed public and private schools across the state to shut down on Thursday while worship centres were advised to suspend services.

Public gatherings, including burials and marriages, were put on hold while commercial tricycles were directed to carry only two passengers amongst, other measures.