Abuja Market Mgmt To Impose ‘No Mask, No Trade’ Policy As FG Shuts Down Wuse Market

In accordance with the Federal Government’s Executive Order mandating the use of face masks in public places, the Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML) has said it would introduce a ‘no mask; no trade’ policy in all markets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The AMML Corporate Affairs Manager, Innocent Amaechina, disclosed this in a phone interview with THE WHISTLER on Monday.

The Federal Government had reiterated the need for citizens to observe the Executive Order by wearing face masks or face the imposition of a second lockdown.

THE WHISTLER had visited Wuse Market and some parts of the federal capital to monitor the level of compliance by residents and traders.

Our correspondent observed that there was partial compliance to the COVID-19 measures around the FCT, including the Wuse Market.

Although residents, commuters, traders and market goers were sighted using their face masks, some of them wore it inappropriately.

Speaking on the matter, Amaechina said the management had never stopped enforcing the COVID-19 protocols, but lamented that traders and customers continually flout the rule by taking off their face mask immediately they leave the point of enforcement.

“Our challenge, however, has been that most of them…when they cross that place where we enforce the rules, they pull it off then go their ways. Of course, you do not expect us to go monitor them to be sure they have not removed their mask”.

Amaechina, however, said the management had resorted to sensitization and public education to persuade and appeal to traders on the need to safeguard themselves.

THE WHISTLER observed that the phone repairs/sales section of the market had zero compliance to the rules by both traders and patrons.

Amaechina said in reaction:  “I need you to know that sometimes, especially in such situation it is always very difficult to achieve the desired result of physical distancing and this is why we encourage, where it is not possible, ensure that you wear your mask.

“And we go around the various markets; various shops, educating them and letting every trader know that what they are expected to practice is ‘No Mask; No Trade’. For the customers and the traders.

“So, the customer is expected to see the traders wearing a mask, if there is no mask, no trade. Same as if a customer is coming to you and is not wearing a mask, then no trade.”

Meanwhile, an FCT mobile court sitting at the Eagle Square, Abuja, had on Monday ordered the shutdown of Wuse Market and UTC Shopping Complex over violations of COVID-19 safety protocols. The Court directed that the business locations should be shut down for three days from Monday pending compliance by traders and customers.

Attah Ikharo, the head of publicity and enforcement of the FCTA ministerial enforcement task-team on COVID-19 restrictions, confirmed the development to THE WHISTLER.

Ikharo said the decision followed what he called “large violations” of the Executive Order on the compulsory wearing of face masks signed by President Muhammadu Buhari last week.