CORONAVIRUS LOCKDOWN AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT ON INDIGENT HOUSEHOLDS IN IBEWA COMMUNITY, ONELGA, RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

The study investigated the socioeconomic impact of coronavirus lockdown in Ibewa community, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Rivers State. The socio-ecological resilience theory served as the theoretical framework while the cross-sectional design was used for the study. Both probability (stratified, simple random) and non-probability(purposive) sampling techniques were used for the sampling procedures. Quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (Seven focus groups) were used in gathering primary data. Also, Cronbach Alpha was used to measure the reliability of instrument(s). On the basis of data collection, twenty-two (22) respondents were randomly selected from the seven (7) household groups that were already in strata (7×22=154). Data collected for the study were analyzed with univariate (mean), bivariate(chisquare) and multivariate (multinomial/linear logistics regression) statistic(s) with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 23.0. Based on analysis, the study discovered that lockdown led to human right abuse, economic hardship, deviant behavior among others. In view of these findings, the study recommended that the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development should design an economic recovery plan for indigent households. Also, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control should propose a legislative framework that will curb price hike of essential commodities during disease outbreak.