[dropcap]A[/dropcap]ssociation of Community Newspaper Publishers of Nigeria ,Delta State Chapter (ACNPN) has call for an urgent and drastic measure to tighten the enforcement of the stay – at – home order in Delta State. The 14 day lockdown which has compelled residents to remain in their homes progresses, the strict enforcement of the order is gradually fizzling out. A drive round Asaba, the state capital, by our ACNPN monitoring team, revealed that security operatives manning the check points were no longer as committed to enforcing restriction of movement as they were at the start of the lockdown seven days ago.
Many of the check points were without security presence about 5pm when our monitoring team went round town and vehicles were seen driving pass them without check.
At Koka junction, on the Benin – Onitsha expressway, the check point was open to motorists and the operatives, who were detailed to man the post were sighted relaxing under a nearby shade.
The situation was the same at St. Bridges Road, DBS junctions on Summit and Okpanam roads where motorists were also seen driving freely pass the check points without the presence of security personnel.
Motorists and pedestrians also had unhindered movement at the check points at NTA junction, opposite the Stephen Keshi stadium, the Ogbeogonogo market axis, traffic light round about, opposite Police A Division and Akpu junction.
Some tricycles and motorcycles were sighted with passengers within short distances, having taken advantage of the absence of security personnel on the roads.
Many people were also seen trekking long distances to the temporary markets set up by government in parts of the stats capital for the sale of perishable goods.
By 5pm, all the road blocks had been dismantled for people to enter the streets to resume their activities for the remaining part of the day.
If the current situation is anything to go by, it is obvious that the lockdown would collapse before the 14 days set by government.
This calls for an urgent and drastic measure to tighten the enforcement of the stay – at – home order, failing which the consequence could be inimical to the fight against the corona virus in Delta state..