Kaduna residents react as El-Rufai slams another 30-day lockdown, cut salaries

Thirty days after residents of Kaduna State emerged from a 24-hour curfew imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Governor Nasir El-Rufai slammed another 30-day lockdown even when the Federal Government had decided to begin the ease off lockdown restrictions in Lagos, FCT and Ogun States where the spread of the virus was originally a […]

Thirty days after residents of Kaduna State emerged from a 24-hour curfew imposed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Governor Nasir El-Rufai slammed another 30-day lockdown even when the Federal Government had decided to begin the ease off lockdown restrictions in Lagos, FCT and Ogun States where the spread of the virus was originally a cause for concern.

By extending the curfew in Kaduna, El-Rufai provided a two-day window period; Wednesday and Friday to enable residents restock on food and other essential supplies, but also began the deduction of 25 per cent from the salaries of public servant while stressing that political office holders will contribute 50 per cent of their salaries after making an initial contribution of N500, 000 for the month of April.

The governor had said the deductions will be across board to ensure those who earn a living contribute to the palliative fund that will help provide welfare to the poor and other vulnerable citizens who are unable to earn a living during the lockdown. He however, explained that only civil servants who earn N67,000 and above will be affected in the deduction adding that it was to ensure that no public servant has less than N50,000 to manage monthly.

Many residents who spoke to Daily Trust Saturday on the new policies expressed mixed feelings with some describing the 30-day extension as harsh and calling for a review while others say El-Rufai means well for the people of the state and appealed to others to remain patient. Civil servants who have remained at home since the lockdown however, expressed displeasure that their salaries have been cut in the midst of several competing financial demands.

Mohammed Auwal, a tricycle operator in the state said he has lost his daily income which inedvently means that he could no longer feed his family due to what he described as government’s excessive policies on certain categories of people.

“For five days, people are not allowed to leave their homes to source for their daily living, and when the curfew is relaxed for the two days, tricycle operators are exempted from sourcing for their daily income. We also have families that need to be fed. Some of us have two wives and others with more than ten children to care for,” he said.

Auwal said: “We are in a dilemma, you either sit at home with no means to take care of your family or go out to work and be arrested by the police who will demand N20,000 as fine.” He however said despite the challenges, he sometimes takes the risk, but tries to avoid areas with high concentration of security agents.

The tricycle operator further said by extending the curfew for another 30 days, the governor was being harsh and appealed to him to reconsider his decision to allow tricycle operators function even if it means to transport a single passenger at a time. He expressed disappointment that even though he fits into the category of people who should ordinarily received the government palliatives he had not. ”I have been visiting friends and relatives to assist me feed my family, but even they will get tired, I will rather find my  daily earning than go begging friends and relatives.”

Aish Muazu, a domestic staff at Kurmin Mashi said there has been hardship in Kaduna since the lockdown and urged the state government to re-examine the lockdown order.

”I depend on my son for feeding, but he is not allowed to go to the market where he earns his daily living. Because of that, we have feeding challenges, especially now in Ramadan. We hear people talking about the government palliatives but have not seen anything; we only depend on neighbours and other well wishers for help.”

Nuhu Ahmed, 25, who sells footwear at the Ungwan Rimi market also called for a review of the 30-day lockdown declared by the state governor saying spending longer hours at home could have psychological implications on citizens who cannot provide for their families.

The graduate of Kaduna State University said the two days grace period provided by the government to restock on food does not do much for his business and urged the state government to have a rethink.

However, Asmau Suleiman explained that though she had been inconvenienced by the stay at home order, she believes the policy was for the good of all. Asmau said her family had benefited from the state government palliative and thanked the state government for the gesture.

Like Asmau, Sani Ibrahim, a motorcyclist has backed the governor’s orders which he said was aimed at protecting the poor from the virus, but advised that government must make adequate provisions to alleviate the sufferings of the masses.

“If we are to stay at home for an additional 30-day, people need to be fed during this period. As a motorcyclist I strive hard to feed my family because the motorcycle I ride is not mine. I pay the owner daily from which my own share will be given to me. Now the government has said I should not go out to work without providing an alternative for me. It will be impossible to obey such an order without considering the effect it will have on low income earners like me.”

Speaking on the 25 per cent deductions of civil servants in the state, a staff of Kaduna State Roads Agency (KADRA) said it was unfair for the state government to include some civil servants in the deduction especially when they have been working during the lockdown.

The staff of KADRA told Daily Trust Saturday that as a field engineer, most of his colleagues have been on the field working on the state government construction sites through out the lockdown and wondered why the state government will treat them like other civil servants who have been indoors for over one month.

He said,”12,000 was deducted from my salary and that is a huge amount for me. I have a family and other responsibilities. When you have been giving your best to the state and such a thing is done to you, it brings down your resolve to give in your best.”

Another staff in one of the Ministries told our correspondent that the state government had deducted more than 25 percent of his salary but said the concerned authorities have been notified and they assured him that it was an error which will be rectified.

”The only problem is that I don’t know when they will refund me the balance. This is a challenging period because we are in Ramadan and I have a lot of family obligations that must be met,” he said.

But Catherine James, a Deputy Headmistress in Sabo told our correspondent that she had expected the deduction and therefore had prepared for it by cutting down her expenses.

Catherine explained that: “I think we all have to be patient and understand that everyone needs to make sacrifices. Those of us who have received salaries in spite of the cuts should be grateful because many have lost their jobs while some have been asked to go on leave without pay. So we are lucky.”