Kaduna state government said it has lost N6 billion internally generated revenue in the last six weeks of Covid-19 lockdown in the state, just as it announced closure of all major markets in Kaduna to stem the spread of Covid-19 in the state.
The state had earlier rolled out list of public schools in the four local government areas of Chikun, Igabi, Kaduna North and Kaduna South within Kaduna metropolis, to serve as neighborhood markets, where residents can buy foodstuffs and other essentials on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Managing Director of Kaduna Market Development and Management Company, Hafiz Mohammed Bayero, who disclosed this during a press conference on Monday, said the closure of the major markets and activation of the neighborhood markets take effect from Wednesday.
He warned that the new policy will be strictly enforced to ensure full compliance as social visit of any sort is banned and anybody found venturing outside his neighbourhood or driving around major roads without any justifiable reason on Wednesdays, Saturdays or any other day, would have his vehicle confiscated and auctioned at the end of the pandemic.
Bayero, who emphasised that the strict measures in place were not meant to punish the citizens but protect them, said that government is not gaining anything by closing down the markets, but enforcing social distance and other protocols prescribed for the prevention of Covid-19 spread, which had been difficult to enforce in the markets.
The MD however said that, during the test-run of the neighborhood markets at the designated centres last Saturday, it was easier to enforce use of face masks and social distance among traders and customers.
He also disclosed that traders who have shops in the Central Market and others major markets have been allowed in the last few days to move necessary materials, stalls and goods to any of the designated neighborhood markets close to their area of residence.
He said with the development, residents are not expected to be seen on major roads like Ahmadu Bello Way, Independence Way, Ali Akilu Way and Constitution Road among others, as there is a designated neighborhood within one kilometer radius of every neighborhood for them to buy food, medicine and other essentials.