“Nigerian government should realize that at a time like this, their real home is Nigeria. Hence, they should serve the people with sincerity of purpose and direction. They should rebuild social infrastructure, capable of serving the Nigerian People when the world closes its borders”
By Daniel Njienue and Sunny Atam, News/comments, April 3, 2020
NELSPRUIT, MPUMALANGA-In regards to the recent developments on coronavirus pandemic in South Africa, with the number of covid19 patient increasing to 1,380, including 5 dead with 31 discharged. The situation is said to be under control and well handled by the government, ensuring that the life of every of her citizen is safe, was the outburst of Mr. George Obi, a Nigerian-South Africa base, who is a Chief and Senior Consultant at Dynametrics Consulting (Pty), South Africa, saying that the responses of the South African government has been very proactive while the country is on the 6th day of lock-down, noting, that the government has implemented a home-to-home testing campaign so as to map and track the virus patients.
“As at yesterday, more 44,200 people were tested on the campaign. More so, the government continually engages with the citizens, revising their approach as and when needed. Stressing on the palliative measures South Africa government implored to curb the situation following; the lockdown of borders with her neighboring countries, and also has earmarked over R5 billion to cushion the effects of the pandemic on the economy. We are yet to see how this fund will be allocated, however, we are confident that the government is committed to assisting its citizens to alleviate the economic challenges that this pandemic may bring.
George added, that the general perception of people in South Africa is that the virus is for Caucasians. “There was a lackadaisical attitude from black South Africans; they believed that the virus is for the white people hence they were not complying with the lock-down. That perception is fast changing because just this morning, a well-known labour Union activist tested positive and he is not a Caucasian. The military has since applied some heavy-handedness in ensuring compliance and peopleare beginning to see that the virus is real. As of today, there is a better response than at the beginning of the lock-down. As for the spiritual connotation, he noted that it is a religious ignorance to believe that the virus will not infect one even if the person doesn’t follow the guidelines on how to prevent the virus”.
Reacting to why Africans continue to depend on their foreign counterparts, the Consultant, noted, “This pandemic has exposed our continent; we claim we are independent but we rely so much on Asia and the west for our basic survival. We import everything from Asia, including basic things like face mask. I have critiqued the South Africa government for announcing that there is shortage of face masks and they are waiting for shipment from Asia”
The list is endless as to what can be done better, not just in Nigeria but across the continent he lauded. He noted that it is unfair to compare Nigerian government with any other government in the world. That there is so much more, that Nigerian government can do better, not just during the pandemic but beyond as well. Stressing that lock-down without reasonable support will lead to other social menace. “Nigerian government should realize that at a time like this, their real home is Nigeria. Hence, they should serve the people with sincerity of purpose and direction. They should rebuild social infrastructure, capable of serving the Nigerian People when the world closes its borders”
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