The new coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) continues to wreak havoc around the world. About one million (1,000,000) people are infected with the virus and there are currently more than sixty-five thousand (65,000) deaths. The threat is increasingly being posed to African countries as they must take substantial measures to avoid a large-scale health crisis.
In the context of the pandemic response, many governments in Africa have taken drastic measures and extraordinary measures. Some states (Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe,…) have seen fit to implement a mandatory containment measure such as the one applied in Europe. This provision is unquestionably the best preventive measure. But analysts say absolute containment cannot be applied in Africa because of the dominant economic model. Togolese economist Thomas Koumou recently said that Africa cannot afford to submit to total containment. Benin President Patrice Talon was also clear about the material impossibility of confining his population.
In Togo, many measures have been taken to limit the spread of the virus. Recent measures include the introduction of a curfew and the taking of certain measures to prevent SMEs from falling through the health crisis. In the field of transport, there are also measures restricting the number of passengers on board the machines.
However, this measure, like others, creates more frustration and discontent among the population. In a recent statement, the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport and the Minister of Security and Civil Protection announced a formal ban on drivers of two-wheeled vehicles and tricycles from transporting people. This measure, which is supposed to combat the pandemic, makes many Togolese unemployed. Tension was brewing in the ranks of motorcycle taxi drivers when the decision was withdrawn in extremis.
Motorbike taxis that are swarming around the country are at risk of being in a critical situation if this measure is maintained. Feeding their families would then become a journey of struggle for these brave heads of household who were already struggling.
Worse, the curfew measure prevents many resellers from displaying their products in the evening as usual. Clearly, for a family where the father works as a motorcycle taxi and the mother sells, with these measures, it is a disaster that is coming.
This makes it almost impossible for them to provide for their families. The togolese government's measures, which some consider to be completely thoughtless, are therefore, according to observers, to be reviewed.
The 400 billion CFA francs fund announced by the Head of State seems to be the solution to this looming economic crisis; but it seems illusory. Regardless of the percentage that will be allocated to households, one must be fooled to believe that it is possible to put in place a mechanism to help all households in precarious situations over the next three months. This is utopian. Especially since in the understanding of the togolese lambda the distribution of these funds will be in a calculation operation where each household or each Togolese will receive its share.
Failing to go about their business and continue their activities, precarious jobs originally, the people moan.
Follow the instructions announced by the government and starve or continue to operate normally at the risk of contracting the virus; the dilemma is daunting. The noose is tightening on the people.
The current health crisis is unprecedented and the consequences are enormous.
If in Africa the seriousness of the scourge is not yet felt, the economic crisis it is causing is already having its effects. It therefore urges the governments to implement a realistic programme including all social strata and especially the poorest who represent the majority of the population. Such a provision is necessary to avoid the health crisis and the accompanying economic crisis.
www.independantexpress.net
Eric G.