Since the gradual ease of the lockdown in May, markets had operated on alternate days between 9:00a.m. and 3:00p.m. While food markets are in operation on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, non-food markets open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
A grocery retailer at Ojuwoye market, Rihana Oseni, said: “Ordinarily, we shouldn’t be here today, but we are finding it difficult to survive at this time. When we have enough money and are comfortable, we would find it easy to obey these directives. “This is the time the government should assist us to get back on our feet. A lot of people are dying, not because of COVID-19 or any illness, but because of hypertension caused by debts. Most traders are having a hard time repaying loans and contributions used to stock the market after we reopened since we spent all we had during the lockdown with no income. The government should come to our aid. We need the TraderMoni now.
An executive member at Ladipo market, Prince Africanus Ogudoro, said the losses could not be quantified.