The Saboba District Assembly has segmented and relocated traders at almost all the markets in the district as part of measures to decongest and ensure social distancing practices in the wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic in the Northern Region.
The Northern Region has recorded 13 cases while the Upper West and Upper East regions have recorded 10 and 19 cases respectively.
A joint taskforce of police and military personnel, led by the Saboba District Police Commander, ASP Alex Yagani, were dispatched to the various markets within the district to enforce social distancing directive and avert overcrowding.
At the markets, the security personnel educated the traders on personal hygiene, the use of nose masks as well as the good use of the alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
Punishment
In an interview with the Daily Statesman after the exercise, the Saboba District Chief Executive, George K Bingrini, said the move was aimed at enforcing the President’s directive of social distancing, ban on public gatherings, among other measures, adopted to contain the spread of the deadly coronavirus disease.
He urged the traders to comply with the safety measures.
“Our markets are overcrowded and must be segmented towards the adherence of the directive of the President,” said the DCE.
Consequently, he warned that anyone found breaching the directives would be made to face the full wrath of the law and by extension face prosecution.
In addition, Mr Bingrini tasked commuters to comply with the road safety measures without discrimination against passengers and adhere to the social distancing protocols as well.
Some of the traders who spoke to this paper welcomed the move and measures of the assembly, noting that it would reduce overcrowding in the markets.
“The assembly has done well by acting swiftly to ensure people walk freely in the market,” a yam seller said.
