#EndSARS: Business Activities In Enugu Not Yet ‘In Motion’ 12-Hours After Lifting Of Curfew

Businesses are yet to come alive in Enugu metropolis almost 12 hours after the state government lifted curfew following the gradual return of peace to the state capital as a result of the #EndSARS protest. Recall that the state government imposed curfew on the metropolitan council areas of Enugu South, Enugu East and Enugu North when the protest degenerated to looting, killing and vandalisation of public and private property.

THE WHISTLER visited some parts of the metropolis and found premises of businesses still shut.

There was lack of activities in most usually busy areas of Enugu. At New Market, the usual beehive of activities was absent. At the chicken part of the market, only about four selling spots were seen.

A seller, Mrs Ozoemena Nnaji, said, “We came out because we don’t have any other options. I heard about lifting the curfew when I returned from church. It has not been easy because the curfew came when we were not prepared. I had chickens left in this market the day the curfew was imposed, and since then, they were left unattended. But we thank God for the way our governor and security agencies handled the matter. I advise our youths to soft pedal. The point has been made. And government must respond because the leaders have been shaken.”

Various ATM spots at Okpara Avenue, where our correspondent went, were not functional. Only two out of over ten of them were dispensing cash, with clusters of residents seeking to withdraw money. One of them said, “Thank God for the relaxation of this curfew. It came suddenly, but I think it was good because the hijack and destruction of public facilities were much. If we destroy what we have in the name of protest, we would be left with nothing.”

Also, various filling stations, vehicular movements, and pub operations were yet to pick up.

The chairman of the Enugu State Bar Owners’ Association, Mr Hilary Onah, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, advised youths in the state to observe a ceasefire by allowing the state government to implement measures it had initiated towards youth empowerment as well as ensuring justice for victims of FSARS excesses.

Mr Onah said the slow pace of business was because of the suddenness of lifting the curfew. In his words, “Some of us got the news this morning, and we never expected it even though we wanted it. So many of us came out today to clean up and also set businesses in motion. We need to inform our staff members to resume and so on. As from tomorrow, we shall return formally.”

On the impact of the curfew, Onah said, “We didn’t expect the curfew when it came, so our perishable goods, like fish, vegetables and meat, were at risk, especially for some of us who lacked power supply when this lasted. But the curfew was justified because life is immeasurable. I thank Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the way he handled this emergency, and also how peace is restored in the state.”

Onah advised youths in the state to have a ceasefire to allow government to implement its programmes towards finding a lasting solution to the matter. He said, “Youths have a genuine reason for the protest, which government at all levels accepted. Unfortunately, it was hijacked. Gov Ugwuanyi has set a committee, and hitherto he had a framework for youth empowerment. His appointments are also pro-youths. Let’s allow peace to reign. Let’s not be manipulated. It is pathetic how much we have lost in terms of infrastructure. I advise the state government to sustain and add more to its youth empowerment scheme. Carrying youths along should be prioritised. In every situation, there is a lesson, so let’s build on our painful lessons.”