The North-Central Governors Forum has established isolation centres designed to quarantine Almajirai from northern parts of the country before being repatriated to their respective states of origin.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger state who is the chairman of the forum disclosed this while giving an update on efforts being made by his administration to stem the increasing number of COVID 19 cases in the state.
The Governor who also announced an extension of the lockdown to two weeks further explained that the special isolation centre, when completed, will accommodate returnee Almajirai from the state returning from other states of the federation.
Those of them from Niger state, he said will be reunited with their respective families across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state under the exchange program for the Almajirai as agreed by the Northern Nigeria Governors’ Forum without any perceived hindrances.
Governor Bello further explained that “The isolation centre is well equipped with the necessary facilities to meet their needs just as arrangements have been concluded to ensure that they have three square meals per day while the COVID 19 period lasted”.
Meanwhile, Niger state government has banned all commercial motorcycle operations across the state while also reminding others that night journeys and interstates movements are from between 6:00 pm to 6:00 am for the next two weeks, except for those on the exemption.
Governor Bello said, “we are faced with the challenge of people breaching the lockdown and other measures to check Covid-19, such as the commercial motorcycles and as well regulations for the operations of Keke-Napep operators, and other transportation agencies”.
While appealing to all well-meaning Nigerlites to expose persons with a suspected case of Covid-19 in their neighbourhood to prevent the disease from wreaking havoc, Sani Bello encouraged them to always adhere strictly to the simple safety rules aimed at checking the pandemic.
In a related development, Niger State Police Command has warned commercial motorcyclists against disobedience to the order banning their operations for the next two weeks as it is part of measures to check the spread of Corona Virus to parts of the state.
A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Niger State Command ASP Wasiu A. Abiodun said, “The command wishes to inform the general public, especially motorcycle operators that the enforcement has fully commenced and hereby warn that they stop their operations till further notice”.
The statement also warned tricycle operators (Keke-Napep) to adhere strictly to social distancing rules which implies that they must not carry more than two persons and any of them found violating this order shall be made to face the full wrath of the law.
The police also reminded all Nigerlites that the use of face mask in public places is compulsory and failure to comply with the state government’s simple safety rules constitutes an offence contrary to section 17 (1) of the COVID-19 order of Niger state.
“Niger state commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Usman has directed all heads of Departments, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to carry out the enforcement to the fullest and also enjoins Nigerlites/Residents to voluntarily comply to avoid putting themselves into trouble”, the statement said.
