The Governors of Bauchi state Bala Mohamed KAURA’N Bauchi has Briefed the state on the coronavirus.
He also ban the Almajiri system in Bauchi..
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TEXT OF A BROADCAST BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR OF BAUCHI STATE SEN. BALA A. MOHAMMED CON, (KAURAN BAUCHI) ON THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Dear citizens of Bauchi State.
In the Name of Allah the Most Beneficent the Most Merciful.
I take this moment to address and update you on the decisions arrived at after consultation with the Stakeholders in the State regarding the spread of COVID-19 Pandemic and related Health issues confronting our dear state.
2. As the first index case in the state, I am in a better position to give you a true account of the real and present dangers this disease poses to our society. It is a predestined journey and experience, in which Allah in His judgment ordained, may be all of us will take the lessons seriously so that others might learn or be saved from affliction.
3. I must tell you over and again; Corona Virus is real and is no respecter of class, status, gender or creed. I am sure you are all witnesses to the milestones recorded by the Government in the fight against this Pandemic. We have deployed our best brains in the Health sector to tackle this pandemic, and have established our State Task Force on COVID-19 under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Governor to confront the challenges head on.
4. From the very first index case to the most recent statistics, this committee has achieved a remarkable success in keeping the pandemic under reasonable control. 5. From the outbreak to date, the state has recorded 8 confirmed cases out of which 5 have fully recovered and were discharged. The remaining three are receiving treatment. Happily and to God be the glory we have not recorded any death.
6. I recall vividly, a week into my isolation, the State COVID-19 contemplated a complete Lockdown, which to me was a panic response to the outbreak. I immediately reversed it because even in my cocoon of melancholy, I knew that as a State we don’t have the financial capacity to withstand and absorb the shocks of a total lockdown.
7. Our best option then, even now was aggressive advocacy on social distancing and imbibing best health practices of hand washing and the use of sanitizer and face mask. All glory be to God my intervention paid off.
8. As the Holy Month of Ramadan approaches, I must sound a note of caution that we must not be complacent or handle the Pandemic with Kids-Glove. We must do everything within our means to keep the disease from spreading.
9. The challenge in Ramadan is to come to terms with the reality that this year our congregational way of worship will be altered dramatically.
10. After extensive consultations with major stakeholders including Traditional Rulers, Imams, the Clergy, notable Opinion Leaders and Market Groups as well as the State Executive Council, we as the State Government have come up with a robust template that will further strengthen our partial lockdown. These measures include: Social distancing in the Holy Month of Ramadan specifically in relation to.
– Ramadan Tafsir
– Tarawih , Tahajjud and Ittiqaf
– Market Outing
– Commercial Motor Cycles Users
– Keke NAPEP Operators and
– The Almajirci System of Learning
a ). RAMADAN TAFSIR
11. Government hereby restricts the conduct of Ramadan Tafsir to only the translator and reciter. This is to stop massive gathering in such occasions as this will escalate the spread of the Virus through contacts. Government has concluded arrangements to sponsor Tafsir in Radio and Television Stations where citizens can stay at home to listen and/or watch.
b). TARAWIH, TAHAJJUD, ITTIQAF
12. The outcome of our meeting with stakeholders also agreed unanimously to ban Tarawih and Tahajjud prayers as well as Ittiqaf . These forms of worship are to be conducted by faithfuls within the confines of their homes. Even at that, please ensure social distancing. For the time being in the spirit of the partial lockdown, the 5 daily prayers are allowed but restricted to localities where Mosques are cited. Such prayers must not last more than 10 minutes and the congregation must disperse afterwards.
In all Mosques and service centres , social distancing and the use of sanitizers must be observed.
13. Friday prayers which normally attract thousands of people as with church services, marriage gatherings, parties, condolence or Ta’aziyya , Picknicks , Night Clubs, Sports and other social activities are equally suspended.
c). BAN ON MARKETS
14. All Markets including weekly markets in the State are hereby suspended, except dealers in essential Food Items which include Grains, Vegetables and perishables which are allowed to operate. Departmental Stores, Pharmacies, Supermarkets and filing stations shall remain operational.
15. Ours lockdown is not a shutdown. It is a lockdown with a human face. Markets will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm effective from Sunday the 26 th of April, 2020.
d). BAN ON COMMERCIAL MOTORCYCLE OPERATORS
16. I am sure you know that, all of our neighboring States (Kano, Plateau, Jigawa , Gombe , Borno , Yobe , Taraba , Kaduna and FCT Abuja) have banned the operation of commercial motorcycles otherwise known as Achaba . Unfortunately, they have all relocated to our state posing a serious threat to security.
17. Government hereby bans the operation of Achaba in Bauchi State.
18. However, in order to ensure that, the attendant hardship that may arise from this ban is ameliorated, Government intends to put in place some palliative measures. We will provide Palliation in conjunction with the Keke NAPEP and Achaba Associations to establish a durable Hire-Purchase scheme for KEKE NAPEP to cushion the effects of the ban. We will replicate this with the Nigerian Union of Transport Roads Workers (NURTW) to be executed through a revolving fund.
e). KEKE NAPEP OPERATORS
19. All operators of Keke NAPEP must ensure that, they carry not more than two passengers. The rule here is that both the Driver as well as the passengers must wear face masks and use sanitizers.
20. In order to reduce congestion at our Motor Packs, all peripheral and outlet Motor Parks that are not approved are equally closed. Passengers are encouraged to use approved and dedicated Motor Parks where official, will easily monitor compliance with our orders on this partial lockdown.
21. Government is on the process of establishing Motor Parks along the major arteries in and out in the State Capital. This will be done in consultation with NURTW and relevant groups.
f). ALMAJIRI ACTIVITIES
22. I must again remind you that this Corona Virus is a disease that is contracted mainly through contact. If you stay at home, observe the medical routines and guidelines you are in a safe zone.
23. The Almajiri System which operates through the aggregation and congregation of hundreds of children who beg by day and cluster in large numbers at night may accelerate the spread of Corona Virus.
24. There is an agreement by the Northern Governors to ban Almajiri System in the Region. The Almajiri System is hereby banned in the State. As I address you, Kaduna and Kano States are in the process of evacuating Almajiri’s of Bauchi State origin back to us. We will receive and accommodate them at the NYSC Camp in Wailo , identify their Parents and/or Guardians and reunite them accordingly.
25. I have set in motion a process that will ensure the repatriation of Almajiri’s of other States in our midst back to their States of Origin. This process will be set in motion soon.
26. This ban I must reiterate is not against Islamic Learning or Scholarship which will continue to be encouraged by Government. Such learning must however be structured with Classroom and Adequate Provision of Accommodation facilities, and feeding. This ban does not affect established Islamiyya Schools.
27. At this point, I want to remind you that the closure of all Schools in the State is still in force. Islamiyya Schools, Seminaries and Theological Schools are not exempted. I must emphasize that all our borders remain closed.
28. In order to firm-up this partial lockdown, Government has established Local Government Enforcement Committees to be headed by the Local Government Caretaker Chairmen, Members will include Local Government Party Chairmen, District Heads, Religious as well as Security Leaders.
29. Citizens are encouraged to please report to the relevant health authorities, any person or persons with the signs of Corona Virus in your area for proper determination, isolation and treatment.
30. It is instructive to remind and encourage all of you on the use of sanitizers and ensure hand washing with soap. Please maintain social distancing and the regular use of face masks.
31. May I also quickly remind our Civil Servants on Grade Levels One to Twelve (GL01-GL12) to continue to operate from home. Their heads of Department or unit will determine those on essential duties and if they are needed, they will be notified accordingly.
32. Government hereby appreciates the sacrifice of our Health Professionals who are our Heroes in this war against COVID-19, I equally want to appreciate the excellent job of Bauchi State COVID-19 Committee is doing.
33. In spite of our constraints and limitations and the inexplicable lack of support from the centre to our plight in this moment of trial, we as a Government have achieved modest successes in the war against the disease.
The State COVID-19 Committee with seven relevant Sub-Committees has addressed the issues of advocacy, contact tracing, and infrastructure and case management among others.
34. The Contact Tracing Committee has so far traced 429 people directed connected to our active cases. Out of this 255 have been certified and cleared.
35. Our Active cases from the first to the last recorded are 8 out of which 5 have been discharged while 3 are currently undergoing treatment.
36. The Security Committee has enforced the total lockdown of our 17 Border-points.
This is to ensure that travelers who might be carriers of the disease do not aggravate or escalate the spread of the disease to our people.
37. The Committee has also put the following health facilities ready for use in case management:-
– 100-Bed facility renovated at Bayara General Hospital;
– 80 Bed facility at the ATBU Teaching Hospital;
– 40 Bed facility at the Specialist Hospital and Federal Medical Centre Azare ;
– The Renovation of 2 wards which were equipped through intervention of 100 beds at the Toro General Hospital;
– The provision of a Special Treatment Centre at the Teaching Hospital for severe cases with 8 Ventilators at the ATBU Teaching Hospital.
38. Government has also set-up a Task Force on the establishment of our own Test Centre. This is done with the assistance of the North East Development Commission. The Test Laboratory will conduct tests for COVID-19, Lassa and Yellow Fever. In Sha Allah it will be operational in the next two weeks.
39. In order to cushion the effect of our lockdown, I have set-up a Palliation Committee under the Chairmanship of His Royal Highness The Emir of Bauchi which will provide food and other forms of support to the poor and vulnerable members of our society across the twenty (20) Local Government of the State.
40. I want to appeal to all well-to-do, all well-meaning people of Bauchi State to generously contribute to this initiative. Government will go the extra-mile to fund the Palliation Committee. But the contribution of the good people of Bauchi State will make a huge difference.
41. This explains our establishment of the State Economic Recovery Committee to address our challenges as we struggle through and ride the wave of this virus. The Committee is addressing our micro and macro-economic challenges including Budgetary adjustments to reflect on present realities. It will also provide the template or roadmap for the future after COVID-19.
42 To you, our citizens, I want to assure you that Government will live up to its responsibility by providing leadership in this all-out war against this Pandemic. Your sacrifice, Patience and understanding remain sources of encouragement to us in this regard.
43. We must all come together to defeat Corona-Virus. We must never allow this virus to defeat us. Insha Allah we will keep the faith, Insha Allah we will be safe.
44. Thank you and God bless Bauchi State, God bless Federal Republic of Nigeria.
(C) Control TV 2020.
