Edo government imposes dusk-to-dawn curfew to check COVID-19 spread

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki has ordered a dusk-to-dawn curfew effective April 20, 2020, prohibiting the movement of people throughout the state from 7:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. as part of measures to halt the spread of Edo government imposes dusk-to-dawn curfew to check COVID-19 spread (COVID-19) in the state.

Obaseki, who gave the order in a broadcast, said that the order would be reviewed after 10 days when increased screening and testing of citizens in the state must have been achieved. He said that the curfew was part of additional measures to ensure that people stay at home and prevent further spread of the infectious disease.

In another development, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, yesterday presented an appropriation bill of N242.283 billion for the 2020 fiscal year to the state House of Assembly for consideration and approval.

Diri, while presenting the budget estimate christened, “Consolidation for Prosperity 2020,” said the appropriation bill defined the structure for the economic activities to be undertaken in the fiscal year. He said his administration would embark on special programmes and projects aimed at wealth creation.

The governor also maintained that the human resources, financial reporting, budgeting and procurement component of the state’s Integrated Financial Management Information System (SIFMIS) would be fully implemented this year.

Diri, who assured that his administration would continue with the implementation of the Federal Government approved minimum wage for workers, said the payment of gratuity arrears had already commenced for pensioners.

In his remarks, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, who commended Governor Diri and his team for the steps taken by his administration to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the state, stressed the need for the state government to adopt more strategies to raise funds from alternative sources and seek ways to cushion the effects occasioned by the virus.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State government has commenced another round of distribution of the COVID-19 relief items, urging the co-ordinators to ensure that the foodstuffs get to the less-privileged and vulnerable people in the state.

A statement by Acting Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted Diri as having directed the eight council chairmen and their councillors to demonstrate integrity in the distribution of the foodstuffs and ensure that it cuts across political party lines.

Diri also disclosed that the state had begun the process of setting up its own laboratory and testing centre for viral infections apart from the Coronavirus disease.He said he had already approved N60 million for the procurement of equipment for the centre to be established at the Bayelsa Medical University, adding that officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) would be invited to inspect and certify the centre when it is ready.