(Minna)
The Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Abubarkar Sani Bello has announced 14 days extension for restriction of movement for all inter and intra-state travelers, except for those on essential services.
It is also now a punishable offence not to wear face mask for persons outside their homes.
The Governor,urged the people in the state and Moslims who are observing the Ramadan fast under the difficult situation to endure for a little longer for the overall good of Niger state.
Bello who made the declaration and the urge after meeting with the State COVID-19 Committee at the Government House, Minna however challenged the residents to adhere strictly to the order on restriction of movement.
“If we work very hard,in the next two weeks, we will be out of the difficulties and Niger state will be better for it,”he assured.
Briefing journalists after the extensive meeting with the State Task Force on COVID 19 at the government house Minna, Bello said after the initial two weeks of 24 hours total lockdown elapsed on Sunday, it became necessary to extend it to ensure that the disease is not more than the two cases in the state.
“Movement across the state must be COVID 19 social distancing compliant. “Commercial motorcycle operators will carry not more than one passenger and both must have face mask.
“Tricycle operators must not carry more than two passengers and all of them must be on face mask,’ he stressed.
The governor Coronavrus,the global pandemic disease observed that the global disease had changed mankind.
“COVID 19 has forced us to change our lives, taught us how to manage our economy and forced us to change our life style and generally, the way we see things about life”.
Meanwhile, the governor has warned against diversion of palliatives meant for the less privileged who could afford a means of livelihood for a day.
He appealed to well to do indigenes of the state to assist in providing for the poorest of the poor, to cushion the effects of the lockdown.
The Governor,apparently reacting to the politicizing and diversion of palliatives in the past said, “We are about starting the second part of the palliatives, I must warn that this is not largees for the state government but for those who cannot afford something to eat.”
