Wuse Market reopening: We paid N50,000 fine — Manager

By Matthew Denis, Abuja

Respite returns to Wuse Market as Federal Capital Territory (FCTA), Enforcement Team of COVID-19 protocols had reopened  the market on Wednesday following Court’s directive.

Recall that the tasked force had sealed off Wase and UTC market in Area 10, Garki, Abuja, on Tuesday, for failing to comply with COVID-19 protocols thereby violating the COVID-19 Health Protection Regulations 2021 recently approved by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The FCT minister,  Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, who announced the reopening of the markets in Abuja, said the administration would not hesitate to reseal markets and plazas if they are caught flouting the COVID-19 Disease Health Protection Regulation 2021.

On the scene assessment, Nigerian NewsDirect saw joy on faces of traders carrying out business activities. There was compulsory wearing of face mask and checking of temperature of visitors and customers entering the market by the security personnel.

Motorists were seen trooping in and out of the major gates of the market after carrying out their transactions and the COVID-19 buckets installed at strategic locations of the market.

Speaking to this medium, the Manger of Wuse Market, Mr. Olufemi Bello said “The court inspected the market to ensure that all COVID-19 protocols were put in place and it unsealed the market yesterday and we paid a fine of N50,000.”

He stressed that the shop owners are cooperating with the COVID-19 protocols and they have sanitary buckets installed at strategic places.

The manager emphasized that they have also constituted a monitoring committee to check defaulters of the COVID-19 rules and regulations in the market.