* Say extension will drastically affect businesses, increase hardships, poverty

* 鈥楾here is hunger in the country right now鈥� 鈹�Lagosians
Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻
Lagos residents have severally expressed dissatisfaction with the latest decision of the Federal Government to extend the COVID-19 lockdown by two weeks in Lagos, Ogun States, and Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

绿帽献妻 investigations revealed though majority of the people agree to practical measures the authorities have put in place to curb the spread of the virus, cross-sections of the people in many locations across the state are essentially concerned about their socio-economic survival during the extended period of Coronavirus lockdown.

Agency report also indicates that some residents in the FESTAC area of Lagos State Tuesday, April 14 expressed their displeasure over the 14-day extension of the lockdown in the state.

It was learnt that the residents rather would have preferred a week’s extension of the lockdown in the state, as against two handed down by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Report says the residents particularly complained that even though they are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic is dangerous, yet hunger is most likely to 鈥渇inish them鈥� first.

It is recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari, in a broadcast Monday, April 13 had announced the extension of the lockdown in Abuja, FCT, as well as Lagos and Ogun States for two weeks in order to further control the spread of COVID-19.

Mrs. Ngozi Felix, a civil servant, though applauded the Federal Government鈥檚 continued efforts at curbing the spread of Coronavirus, she contended that the situation in the country is not that bad as to warrant an extra lockdown for 14 days.

鈥淭he President could have extended it for just one more week, taking into consideration that many families out there are not able to make money for feeding since this lockdown began.

鈥淎lso, the outbreak is not so much in Nigeria, so what government should really do is to educate the people on hygiene and other measures that will keep them safe from the virus.

鈥淭here is hunger in the country right now, my neighbours have been complaining of hunger for a few days now.

鈥淚 cook in big pots and share for them, but for how long?鈥� Mrs. Felix inquired.

Mrs. Kelechi Agu, a trader, also informed the News Agency of Nigeria that she would not be able to feed her family for two additional weeks without help.

She stated: 鈥淚 thought that this lockdown was going to be over by now.

鈥淢y calculation was that we would eat what we have for a few days, at most, one week, before I can go back to market and sell my goods.

鈥淢y husband retired since 2018, and he doesn鈥檛 make any money.

鈥淭he sales I make from my shop feed us at home; I have four children that eat a lot.

鈥淎t this rate, we are more likely to die from hunger than from this virus. I thought the government would help us; we are yet to receive any help.鈥�

Mr. Osemedua Nnamabia, another Lagos resident and businessman, stressed that the extension is going to drastically affect businesses, increase hardships and poverty in the country.

He said that the aim of the lockdown was valid, but that more measures could have to been introduced to ease the impact of the stay-at-home order.

鈥淎lready, we are seeing the result of the earlier two-week stay-at-home order as it begins to affect basic means for survival, food prices are now on the increase.

鈥淓ven robbery has increased in some parts of Lagos, and it is only a matter of time for insecurity and poverty to become bigger concerns than COVID-19,鈥� Mr. Nnamabia said.