COVID-19 OUTBREAK AND THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY: EFFECTS, CHALLLENGES AND PROSPECTS by SOLAHUDEEN RIDWANULLAH O.

         It is among the tests of leadership, the ability to recognize a problem before it changes to an emergency as nonchalance and procrastination complicate qualms.The youth on daily basis never waver to voice out on the social media and other platforms, the need to facilitate advancement in every sectors of our livelihood. Prior to the outbreak of this pandemic, some perspicacious and patriotic Nigerian leaders and the erudites among citizens have claimed to be eagles, been keen eyed enough to forsee tribulations abounding from, then, unknown sources to strike the country. Thus, a proactive measure rather than astute decisions was sought for. Who knows where the curse would hail from? Who, by then, knows how catastrophic and disastrous it could be? Truth must not be cocooned, for Nigeria, prevention is better than cure, like all other underdeveloped or developing states. This is because, since the inception of this triggering and fear inciting pandemic, Nigeria began soliciting for property and financial aid from individuals and organisations. Nevertheless, the need to commend the steadfastness and enthusiasm in the government and citizens for their activeness since the emergence of the world doom. For If otherwise, things would have fallen apart. The questions which loom large in the minds of the concerned citizens and the government are: what are the effects of COVID-19 on sectors, especially transport, so far?  What are the strategies discovered, anticipated or unobtrusive that can help manage the situation or, perhaps, put a stop to the pandemic? And as regards hope, do we have any? If yes, what are they? The foregoing questions shall be attempted to corroborate and garnish my exposition.
        To open the enlightenment, the outbreak of covid-19 has brought about inflation. This means the persistent increase on the price level of goods, commodities and services in the country. Everyone is struck numb as to, why is it during this hardship condition, the price tag tends to increase unfavorably? The reason is not far-fetched! It owes partially to hoarding of goods by the sellers of those commodities with the aim to maximise undue profit. Inflation in this situation, also can be traced to lack of materials been used in the production of those commodities. Thus, increase in the prices or scarcity of materials unequivocally bounced back on the producers, while, they, in the act of not wanting to run insolvent employed hyper or persistent inflation.
        Withal, as it is vividly stated above that no investor or manufacturer would cherish to descend on inflation, it has to be for a considerable reason at hand. This probably could have hinged on the lockdown policy earlier declared by the government. Indirectly, the citizens, particularly the working class are stucked in and are unable to go and discharge their respective works. Vehicles been disallowed to transport people and goods from one place to another has been the outcries and the reason behind the resentful reaction displayed by many a Nigerian. Everyone is bewildered that, transportation industry, being one of the engine rooms of our society, locked down? Then things can not be on a favourable condition for it will even pose more difficulties to transport food stuff from where they are being produced and packaged down to where they are relatively needed. This is one of the factors that even ignites the flame of inflation. For how can one meet excessive demand with scarcity? A drastic and hyper increase was then considered as a a way out.
        In further view, the policy of lockdown in the transport industry with the economical analysis wordly painted above made me race eyebrow to the fact that it has broken the mutual relationship among countries economic-wise. As it is a general dogma, believed that no nation can stand on its own and have all her needs and wants at her comfort zone. Therefore, they need to interact with one another, exchange goods at the international market, with each state at the end generating revenue for the smooth running of her affair. The transport industry as mentioned before is affected, as the export and import activities take place mainly with the aid of transportation. Therefore, one can admit that " transportation is the soul of livelihood". Resultantly, since the emergence of this ravaging monster, things had been shattered and every other sector such as health, agriculture, education and and sport are in total disarray. Any country that can not operate favourably at the international market is prone to bankruptcy. As it was propounded by David Richardo in the 19th century that "a country should specialize  in the production of those commodities in which she has comparative cost advantage over other countries". This, without an iota of doubt, he has said hinged principally on a logical reasoning that, the expenditure which such a country would be disbursing tends to be less than the income generated at the international market and vice versa. 
        Moreover, emergent of rampant or high rate of criminality. The declaration of lockdown by the government as a bid to amputate the sprouting hand of coronavirus has instigated a high rate of crime, specifically, robbery in some states of the federation. Some states such as Lagos, Kano, and a few other northern cities are confirmed to be typically overcrowded. In these states, the chance of getting higher cases of criminality is high due to lack of inadequate employment to meet the crowded labour market. This does not translate to that the government of those states do not discharge their duty effectively, but rather that the population is heavier compared to the available resources. That was even prior to the emergent of covid-19 that people were able to work and earn in respect to their services. Many a citizen of those states that is unemployed chose to engage himself in other menial or casual labour and were satisfied with the meagre they earn daily. A practical research on the city of Lagos showed that, 65 percent of her citizens are self employed with private bus drivers taking 40 percent of the percentage in ditto. Since the introduction of the stay at home policy, they are unable to go out and work. Resultantly, some of them chose to strike at night. 
        "In addition, this palliative goes to my fellow citizens. As we all know that this pandemic has changed everything: business, religion, social and other aspects of our livelihood. Workers are indulged to work from home while some are to stay at home. It is worthy to note that there exists a crystal difference between staying at home working and staying at home sacked. Organizations are unable to pay workers. My heart beats for those small scale enterprises. How would they survive? Some would have even exhausted their capital on the payment of workers to free them for the lockdown. What I'm I trying to communicate? We are in trying time. The world is changing at a faster rate than expected. During this period, we have more time than before. Time to execute plans. One should set goals and think deeply towards achieving them. Being a student, one can proceed on self development by taking courses and reading. Especially those who are to sit for various external examinations. Yet, deter any unnecessary courses that could be difficult to implement to avoid wasting your precious time.
        To position oneself for  post covid-19 period, some methods can be strategize. Always try to put some systems in place. This is a way of being determined and focused against all forms of distractions. This can be done through a self interrogative approach. How many hours can one dedicate to the development? How many chapters can one read per day? This period will not be dissipated on unnecessary and irrelevant stuff if this done. In the same vein, accountability is a key to be drawn closer to goals. Parents can serve as a check on how children manipulate their time. Accountability as well would help every households to manage their wealth during and after this period. "–inspired by Olasupo Abideen, CEO brainbuilder international's COVID-19 ADDRESS, published on his Facebook platform, 2020.
        In the end analysis, government should continue as they've been doing to be steadfast and proactive in their response to the ravaging virus. This could be implemented by doing whatever that is within their capacity to ensure that the state is safe as well as relieving the citizens as a way to make the period of lockdown easy for all and sundry in order to realize a maximum turn up and cooperation from the masses. Also, the invulnerable are beseeched to always stretch out their merciful hands to the vulnerable as fingers are not equal. Emergent discoveries and inventions that can help curb the spread of the virus should also be attempted by gifted technicians as our own quota to contribute to the battle. This is my own quota. Finally, all hands must be on deck to support the government in their policies against the disease. With these, I believe that our hope to restore the lost health of our country shall be materialised.