The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) has reacted to criticisms that have trailed it following its unsealing of a Jumia warehouse initially sealed.
Following the shutdown of the online retail store’s warehouse, Lagosians had taken to social media to criticise the move, adding that Jumia should not be closed at a time when residents had been ordered to stay at home.
They also maintained that the doorstep delivery service offered by Jumia provided respite for residents by bringing them much-needed home supplies that they could not go out to purchase for themselves at this point in time.
Explaining why the warehouse located at Surulere industrial road, off Allen Avenue, in Ikeja Lagos, was unsealed, LASEPA in a tweet revealed that it subsequently realised that the company fell under the ‘essential supplier’ category of companies that could actually operate during the COVID-19 lockdown.
LASEPA disclosed the latest development through a public notice that was conveyed through its official Twitter handle.
According to the agency: “Having established that Jumia can be classified as an ‘Essential supplier’ as contained in the Infectious Disease Regulation signed by the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the 27th March 2020.”
Recall that the Lagos State agency’s taskforce had sealed off the warehouse, a Chinese firm, and a brothel for allegedly contravening the lockdown order given by the Federal Government as part of ongoing efforts to contain the Coronavirus pandemic in Nigeria.
It will also be recalled that following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, Jumia has rolled out several innovations in order to safely meet its customers’ needs. One of such innovations is a new method of delivery called the Contactless Delivery. It is a safety measure for customers, which encourages adherence to the social distancing directives.
Jumia also entered into a partnership with Reckitt Benckiser to avail its customers of several hygiene products at affordable prices during the lockdown.
Interestingly, Jumia’s warehouse was shut down on the day it announced a partnership with Lagos State Government on MyHandsAreSafe campaign, as an information tool to curb further spread of COVID-19.
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