Project Materials

ASSESSMENT OF COVID-19 SAFETY COMPLIANCE LEVEL OF TRADERS IN WUSE MARKET, ABUJA

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Safety is the state of being “safe”, or being protected from harm or other undesirable results. Safety can also refer to the management of identified dangers in order to attain an acceptable level of risk (wikipedia, 2021).

However, the safety of human lives has recently become a top priority and worry for the world’s governments, following the enormous outbreak and spread of a pandemic known as Covid 19 in 2019.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines coronaviruses as a virus family that causes illnesses ranging from the common cold to more serious diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). These viruses were originally transmitted from animals to humans.

SARS, for example, was spread from civet cats to people, whereas MERS was transmitted to humans by a species of camel. Several coronaviruses are now circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. Countries around the world are rushing to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

The global impact of the coronavirus has been well documented. The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared this outbreak a pandemic on March 11, 2020. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cases have been confirmed in over 203 nations, regions, or territories as of December 2020.

The outbreak of this virus in Nigeria resulted in various safety precautions in all areas of activities in Nigeria, as it was described as communicable and lethal by the World Health Organisation.

On February 27, Nigeria confirmed its first case in Lagos State: an Italian citizen who works in Nigeria returned from Milan, Italy on February 25 via the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, became ill on February 26 and was transferred to Lagos State Bio-security Facilities for isolation and testing.

To contain the spread of the virus in Nigeria, the federal government implemented restrictions and preventive measures such as the use of face masks, social distancing, and the use of sanitisers when washing hands and cleaning surfaces.

These safety measures apply to all sectors and individuals, including market traders. However, the government has convinced all citizens to follow safety precautions.

Safety compliance refers to the state of adhering to established safety standards and regulations. Thus, the purpose of this study is to assess the level of Covid-19 safety compliance among traders in Abuja’s Wuse Market.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Covid 19 has been described as a lethal virus capable of claiming human lives over the world. However, compliance with safety preventative measures is the most important strategy to restrict the spread of this virus.

Since the first outbreak of this virus in Nigeria, the Nigerian government has prioritised prevention efforts among individuals, sectors of the economy, and enterprises, including traders, market women, and men. However, most Nigerian markets are overcrowded with sellers and consumers.

As a result of the nature of these marketplaces, traders’ compliance with Covid-19 preventative measures has been inconsistent. As a result, the purpose of this study is to investigate the level of Covid-19 safety compliance among traders, notably in Abuja’s Wuse Market.

1.3 PURPOSES OF THE STUDY

The primary goal of this research is to assess the extent of Covid-19 safety compliance among traders in Wuse Market Abuja. Other specific objectives include:

Identify the numerous covid-19 safety measures put in place by the Nigerian government.

To determine whether traders at Wuse Market Abuja follow the Covid-19 safety precautions.

To determine the extent to which those dealers follow the preventative measures.

To investigate the extent to which government enforcement agencies perform their supervisory tasks in ensuring that traders fully comply with Covid 19 preventive measures.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION.

What are the various covid-19 safety measures put into place by the government of Nigeria?

Do the traders at Wuse Market Abuja adhere to the Covid-19 safety precautions?

To what extent do merchants follow preventative measures?

To what extent do government enforcement agencies carry out their supervisory tasks in ensuring that traders fully comply with Covid 19 preventative measures?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study would be of immeasurable value to the federal and state governments since it will reveal the status of compliance by traders in Wuse Market Abuja, as well as the gaps created by enforcement authorities that prescribe irregular adherence to covid 19 norms and limits.

And the recommendations will have a significant impact on how to tighten limitations. This study will be useful as a source of information or academic material for the general public, students, and researchers.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study assesses the level of Covid-19 safety compliance among traders in Wuse Market, Abuja.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

The key limits to this study were financial, time, and material availability, as well as some traders in the Wuse market not having enough time to offer the researcher an audience for interviews and surveys.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Government: The body of people who govern a political unit or organisation, such as. a: the officials who make up a political unit’s governing body and make the organisation an active agency.

Covid 19, commonly known as coronavirus, is a communicable respiratory disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus that infects humans.

Compliance is the act of complying and observing what is authorised and legal.

Traders: A trader is someone who buys and sells financial assets in any financial market, either for themselves or on behalf of another person or organisation.