(Minna)
The North-Central Governors’ Forum said it has it would soon establish isolation centre in Minna to serve as a place to quarantine Almajiris from northern parts of the country before being repatriated to their respective states of origin.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state, who is the Chairman of the Forum, disclosed this while giving update on efforts made by his administration to stem the increasing number of COVID 19 cases in the state.
The Governor, who also announced an extension of the lockdown to two weeks, further explained that the special isolation centre, when completed, will accommodate returnee Almajirai, of the state origin from other states of the federation.
Those of them from Niger state, he said, would be reunited with their families across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state under the exchange programme for the Almajirai as agreed by the Forum without any perceived hindrances.
Bello said, “The isolation is well equipped with the necessary facilities to meet the needs of the almajiris,adding that arrangements had been concluded to ensure that they hadthree square meals per day while
the COVID 19 period lasts.”
Meanwhile, Niger state government has banned all commercial motorcycle operations across the state wuth a reminder that the order O night journey and inter state movement from between 6:00 pm to 6:00 am for the next two weeks remained.
The order, however include those on exemption list.
Bello further said, “We are faced with the challenge of people breaching the lock down and other measures to check Covid-19, such as the commercial motorcycle operators, those operating Keke-Napep o and other transportation agencies.”
He appealed to well-meaning citizens of the state to expose persons with suspected case of Covid-19 in their neighbourhood to prevent the disease from spreading.
Bello also advised the people to always adhere strictly to the simple safety rules, aimed at checking the pandemic.
In a related development,the Police Command in the state has warned commercial motorcyclists against disobedient to the order banning their operations for the next two weeks.
The command the order was part of measures to check the spread of Corona Virus to parts of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command,
ASP Wasiu A. Abiodun, said “The command wishes to inform the general public, especially motorcycle operators, that the enforcement has fully commenced.
He warned those concerned to stop their operations till further notice.
The command also admonished tricycle operators (Keke-Napep) to adhere strictly to social distancing rules by carrying two persons as stipulated in the order.
He said that aany of them found violating the order “shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.”
The police also reminded the people in the state that the use of face mask in public places was compulsory.
According to the police image maker, failure to comply with the state government’s simple safety rules constitutes an offence contrary to section 17 (1) of the COVID-19 order of Niger state.
“Niger state commissioner of Police, Adamu Usman, has directed all Heads of Departments, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to carry out the enforcement to the fullest.
“He and also enjoined Nigerlites/Residents to voluntarily comply, to avoid putting themselves into trouble”,he further warned.
