By Ado Hassan, Sokoto
Amidst the rising statistics of COVID-19 cases in the state, Sokoto state Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal on Sunday night, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 for urgent intervention in the areas of logistics and technical support to stem the disturbing trend in the state.
Tambuwal, like his Kano state counterpart , Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje followed suit for necessary intervention to save lives against the spread of the pandemic in the caliphate.
Tambuwal who also imposed a curfew from 8:00pm to 6:00am daily effective Monday May 4th, 2020, following the presidential directive, excluded personnel and staff involved in provision of essential services.
He stressed further that all public and civil servants on grade level thirteen and above not covered by the existing stay at home order, must wear facemasks to work as well public places.
Tambuwal in a state wide broadcast, decried the rising number of the pandemic cases in the state with 66 positive status and 8 deaths as at the latest statistical report.
” We are all aware of the critical state of our Nation, as occasioned by the current trend of Covid-19 pandemic that affects the entire globe.
” Also, we are experiencing the spread of the virus as we recorded 66 positive cases and sadly, 8 deaths amongst our people as at today. Statistics are unfortunately, putting us amongst the front line states in the spread of the pandemic”, he noted.
According to the governor in a statement by Muhammad Bello, Special Adviser Media and Publicity, the challenge as persistent and worrisome, measures were being taken at Federal and state levels of governance to prevent the worst scenario.
He however, noted that as disturbing as the pandemic statistics were, the State Taskforce on Covid-19 has proved capable of addressing the challenge.
” In this regard, it has been upbeat by constantly briefing the people on our situation”, said Tambuwal.
Tambuwal , however, recalled that President Buhari had in a latest broadcast, declared further measures in response to the spread of Covid-19 across the country, especially the very dangerous stage of community transmission being sadly experienced.
He observed with concern the particular federal measures that affect Sokoto State included the ban on interstate movement, which reinforces the existing closure of its borders and boundaries, the compulsory wearing of facemasks and the nationwide curfew declared by the President all in addition to existing measures hitherto declared by the state government.
According to the governor ” while the government is sensitive to the difficulties these steps may cause our people, I urge us all to persevere, as these are indeed in the interest of our wellbeing. I therefore call on all of us as law abiding citizens to cooperate and adhere to all measures being put in place for the protection of our lives.
” In this regard, I wish to appeal to the people to continue to adhere to the protective practices of hand washing with soap or sanitizers and social distancing”, he appealed while praying for protection , healing of the afflicted and forgiveness for the departed due to the pandemic
