EDITORIAL: Compensating For The Dislocation

Nigeria at the moment is in stagflation, with the economy and society hobbled by cost-push inflation. It is a difficult time to do business in an already tough operating environment. This is why traders in the Oke-Fia, Lameco, and Alekuwodo areas of Osogbo, Osun State, where road and flyover construction is taking place, must be given succour by the state government. This is not just on humanitarian grounds but also on economic principles. 

The construction work is still ongoing.  The government of Osun State deserves to be applauded for focusing on infrastructural upgrades. The government is sensibly working towards sustainable development. Unfortunately, there is a downside, which must be faced. This is the disruption of commercial activities caused by the construction. 

Purchasing power and gainful employment are already low, we must not deepen it as we will all suffer from the fallout as well as the ripple effect. 

The government must sit down with those whose businesses are affected by the road construction and work out a compensatory scheme. Admirably, those affected are not reported as having laid off staff, kudos to them. Compensation must be given to help them in the period of dislocation pending the return to normalcy.

This newspaper reported the plight of business owners in the Alekuwodo and Oke-Fia axis. They all lamented the negative effect of the road construction on their businesses and trades. There was a drastic reduction in patronage and sales. Their income has been unintentionally slashed below their imagination. Though they commended the state government on the project, they demanded compensation for the downturn in their trades and businesses as a result of the road construction. The government should look into this for both humanitarian and economic purposes.