The All Progressives Congress, APC, has called on the Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, to reopen markets which have remained securely locked since the covid-19 lockdown.
Dr Sokonte Davies, a factional caretaker committee chairman said while receiving a delegation of market women that the APC is aware of the suffering that traders and owners of other businesses are passing through.
He said, the continued lockdown of the markets has become an impediment to the expansion of commerce and trade, both of which have clear impacts on the health of the Rivers economy, adding that there were smarter ways of addressing concerns arising from the threat posed by the spread of the Coronavirus.
He said there was a need to reduce the hurdles faced by the masses who feel short-changed by the continued closure of markets and urged Governor Wike to weigh state concerns pertaining to the anti-Covid fight against the backdrop of a growing need to ensure that people are able to earn a decent living without any hindrance.
He noted that in spite of the lockdown which was in force across the country, most states still found creative ways of getting their people to maintain social distancing and encouraging them to have access to the marketplace.
He also called on Governor Wike to heed the cries of the traders and the people, saying there was no need to continue the lockdown of markets at this time.
He told the traders that the APC had a complete understanding of the situation, and assured them that a rejuvenated party which is currently engaged in internal efforts at reconciliation would defend the interests of Rivers people and those who reside in the State.
Earlier, the Leader of the Market Women Association in the State, Mrs Gloria Nonju said that traders and owners of other businesses were going through harrowing times, following the continued lockdown of their sources of income.
She said they were at the party Secretariat to appreciate the good effort that party leaders are making to rebuild the APC, saying that the absence of credible opposition has jeopardized the interest and welfare of Rivers people.
She then appealed to the APC to persuade the Wike administration to reconsider the harsh stance against market women who were being forced to remain at home.
