COVID-19: Plateau State Declare A Total Lockdown, Starting From Thursday
 |
| Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Simon Bako Lalong |
PROTOCOLS
1. Since the outbreak of the
pandemic, the government constituted a monitoring and enforcement task force
under my Chairmanship. The Task Force has the following sub-committees:
i.
Awareness and advocacy
ii.
Medical Facility Management and Health Services
iii.
Enforcement
iv.
Border Management and Traffic
v.
Secretariat and Logistics
2. A situation room was also
created under the Secretariat and Logistics Committee to collate information
and monitor activities of the various committees and the Local Governments.
3. These five sub-committees were replicated in each of the 17 Local Government Areas with the Executive Chairmen heading the Central Committees.
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4. The Covid-19 Taskforce
under my Chairmanship meets every day to receive briefs, analyse and review
strategies of the entire response.
5. We had set ground rules for general observation e.g. sanitation and personal hygiene; crowd control of not more than 50 people; maintaining of social distance of 2 metres and 5 metres apart for traders selling food items.
6. I also undertook a facility tour of Plateau
Specialist Hospital, Jos University Teaching Hospital and Bingham University
Teaching Hospital to assess the state of medical facilities and capacity to
respond to Covid-19 pandemic.
7. After receiving complaints
on insufficient respirators and other essentials, I immediately directed the
purchase of some ventilators, which are being received at the moment.
8. We also purchased Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE), Monitors, Infrared Thermometers, Oxygen,
Concentrators and other essential drugs. We are looking inwards to improve what
we have on ground.
9. In particular, one of our sons who has continued to make in-roads in innovation, Engr. Jerry Mallo has been engaged to produce ventilators while the duo of Engineers Nura Jibrin and William Gyang have resuscitated broken down ventilators at JUTH. We are grateful to them.
10. We are also taking steps
to establish more Covid-19 Isolation Centres in Pankshin and Shendam to cover
the other Senatorial districts in the State.
11. In line with the Federal
Government Directive, we propose to establish a 300-bed Treatment Centre to be
located at the Riyom General Hospital and the State NYSC Camp.
12. The State Emergency
Operation Centre at the Epidemiology Centre Jos, was activated and is now
functional.
13. Information and
Sensitization Committee had embarked on dialogue and interface with Local
Government Chairmen, Traditional, Religious and Community leaders to get them
on board in the fight against the disease.
14. In the course of implementation, all markets were closed except those selling food items, pharmaceuticals and other essential items. We also put a ban on all anniversaries and cultural festivals.
15. Vehicles were also
restricted to carry 1, 4 and 6 passengers (i.e. Keke Napep, Cars and Buses)
respectively.
16. So far, we have recorded
48 suspected cases which were investigated and all found negative. Total discharges
from self-isolation are 25 while 8 are still under surveillance. Our
surveillance team already in place will continue to be vigilant in identifying
cases.
17. We had established
checkpoints at entry points to the State to enable health officials conduct
preliminary screening of commuters.
18. Based on further
developments, we announced the closure of all border routes to the State, which
took effect from 29th March 2020 to further strengthen the capacity
of our health officials to concentrate on the situation within the State.
19. Monitoring and Enforcement
is still going on and we are recording substantial compliance. However, the few
cases of disregard for the order are being handled by the security agencies.
20. With all these, Government
has concluded plans to carry out a State-wide fumigation exercise which will
cover Jos-Bukuru Metropolis and all the 17 Local Governments Areas of the
State.
21. To this effect, I am
directing a total lockdown, effective 12 midnight of Thursday 9th
April 2020 to 11pm of Wednesday 15th April 2020.
22. During this period, there
will be no movement of any kind except for staff on essential duty. These
include:
Security Agencies; Medical
and Health workers; Power and Energy Staff; Fire Service; Media; Telecom
Operators; Fuel Tankers.
23. At this point, let me
express our deep appreciation to Corporate organisations and individuals that
have so far contributed to the Plateau Covid-19 Endowment Fund both in cash and
in kind.
24. We thank Grand Cereals,
NASCO Group of Companies; Zuma Steel West Africa; Nigerian Veterinary Medical
Association; ASUU University of Jos Branch; Senator Hezekiah Dimka; Mees
Palace; Godiya Hotel Heipang; Bar. Pius Akubo (SAN) and the UBA for their
various contributions.
25. In all the operations so
far, a number of challenges have arisen which we are working hard to address in
conjunction with key partners including the Federal Government.
26. Some of the challenges
include lack of at least a Diagnostic Centre despite the State having Grade 3-4
Diagnostic Centres. We are liaising with the National Centre for Disease
Control (NCDC) to ensure that Plateau State to get a centre soon.
27. We need more Personal
Protective Equipment, which we hope to also complement by producing locally.
28. Because of the enormity of
the challenge we are facing, the State is liaising with the Federal Government
with a view to implementing palliatives from to deal with the pandemic.
29. As I ask our citizens to
continue cooperating with us in these difficult times, I wish to commend them
for their patience and resilience. Working together, we can overcome this
monster that is ravaging the world.
30. I also wish to commend
citizens who are using the Covid-19 Plateau Platform in reporting incidences
directly to the situation room, which has enabled Government to take timely
action.
31. The media has also played
supportive role and we appreciate your efforts.
32. Thank you.
Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Simon Bako Lalong KSGG
Executive Governor, Plateau State
6th A pril 2020.
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