Stakeholders from different groups and non-governmental organisations across Oyo State have called on state government to put in place more enforcement modalities for compliance on social distancing and border closure orders in view of the ongoing war against COVID-19.
The groups came under the aegis of “Oyo Think Tank on COVID-19” to deliberate on the issue of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria with Oyo State in focus.
The stakeholders in a communique signed by the Oyo State Chairperson, National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Jadesola Ajibola, also stressed the need for the state government to intensify efforts on awareness campaign about COVID-19, particularly in markets, motor parks and the suburbs using traditional methods of conveying messages.
“There should be more enforcement modalities put in place to ensure that the populace comply with social distancing and border closure orders as it has been noticed that despite the instruction with regards to this, people still come into and exit the state on daily basis from neighbouring states which may increase the risk of escalation of the disease in Oyo State,” it said.
According to the Oyo Think Thank on COVID-19 , “government should also give attention to People Living With Disabilities (PWDs) and orphanages” and that, “in addition to government provision of free face masks to one million citizens, it would be great if adequate hand sanitizers can also be made available, particularly for those in the suburbs.”
On the planned COVID-19 palliatives, Oyo Think Thank stated that “while we appreciate the government’s plan to systematically distribute palliatives leveraging on available data, the Citizens Group is available and willing to partner with the government in monitoring the distribution exercise to ensure equitable distribution to all target groups as well as serve as check against any form of abuse by those saddled with the responsibility.”
While urging government to give attention to People Living With Disabilities, PWDs, and orphanages, the stakeholders expressed their willingness to “support the efforts of Governor Seyi Makinde, and his team have been making to curb the spread of the disease since its incursion into the State on March 21, 2020.”
“The group said it would like to use this medium to profoundly appreciate the government for steps taken so far; the healthcare facilities that were provided within a short period; specifically, the Infection Disease Centre, Molecular Laboratory and all other initiatives to ramp up testing and treatment in the State,” it added.
The stakeholders also lauded the governor for the partial lockdown policy due to consideration for the informal economy and total wellbeing of the people of the state, particularly the plan to systematically distribute palliatives to the needy.
