Outrage As Nasarawa Levies N30k For COVID-19 Decontamination
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – Outrage has greeted a proposal by authorities in Nasarawa State for charging a N30,000 levy on business outfits to carry out a decontamination exercise in their premises Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The proposal has been greeted with indignation by business owners, who say that instead of bringing succor to their businesses affected by the lockdown, the government has decided to make money out of them.
Hotels, poultry farms and businesses which receive members of the public are cited in the circular dated May18, 2020 distributed by the authorities of Karu Local Government Area of the state.
The circular reads; “Following the official flag-off of decontamination of key government premises against the spread of Covid-19 in Karu local government Council Nasarawa State by the executive chairman on the 2nd -05-2020.
“The Council Chairman has directed that all business premises accessed by members of the public be immediately decontaminated before they are reopened to the public.
“In line with this directive, your organization is hereby requested to within two (2) days from the date of this notice decontaminate your premises for a prescribe fee of N30,000 in accordance with Karu Local government Council bye-laws (2018).
“You are advised to comply with the time specified above in the interest of public health and to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.”
Environmental Health Officer
Hotels have been mostly locked down as a result of the ban in inter-state travels.
Speaking on the issue, a poultry farmer who had in the past complained of extortion by the authorities of Karu Local Government Area through the sale of fumigation certificates, said he has sold off his birds.
Another farm manager while complaining of poor sales on an account of the lockdown, said that it was unreasonable for government to be surpressing businesses at this time.
According to him; “This is the time for us to feel the impact of government helping and shoring us and not to be forcing businesses to close”.
