* FG to decide next week
The Delta State government has reportedly directed local government chairmen and members of the COVID-19 Task Force to open up boundaries with neighbouring states, and make way for free flow of traffic.
The government’s directive was conveyed in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Chiedu Ebi, directing the local government chieftains to dismantle all road blocks with effect from Tuesday June 23, 2020.
Ebi’s statement read in part:
“After several weeks of hard and dedicated work in protecting our boundaries, the time has come for us to scale down on some of the activities with regard to the boundary enforcement.
“Consequently, with effect from Tuesday 23rd June, the Task Force and boundary activities will be suspended.
“All chairmen are to ensure the dismantling of any blockades and ensure that unscrupulous persons do not attempt to engage in illegal activities. As we try to go back to the new normal, chairmen are advised to ensure the continued sensitization of citizens on the necessary protocols.
“Once again, well done guys, and I’m really proud of the work done to keep our people safe,” Ebi directed.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 said disclosed on Monday that it has started reviewing the guidelines for lifting of the ban on interstate travels.
The National Coordinator of the Task Force, Dr Sani Aliyu, said the roads would be opened when the bus termini in the country all have COVID-19 preventive measures in place.
Aliyu stated this as the PTF Chairman, Mr. Boss Mustapha, disclosed that the Federal government would next week decide on its lockdown policies, including the ban on interstate movements.
The PTF coordinator said the guidelines submitted by the Minister of State for Transportation, Ms Gbemisola Saraki, is being reviewed and the roads would be opened as soon as it is safe to do so.
He said: “At the moment, we still have restrictions on interstate travel. But we have been linking up with the Federal Ministry of Transportation through the Minister of State for Transportation.
They have given us guidelines that they have developed: very detailed guidelines, and we have looked at them, summarised them and discussed at PTF last week.
“We have asked the Minister of State for Transportation to please engage with the road transport workers to make sure that the usual garages and parks that we have are ready in terms of guidelines that we have in place such as physical distancing, reducing the number of passengers per vehicle and provision of handwashing facilities etc.
“And I believe they are already working on this and hopefully, we should be able to open as soon as it is safe to do so.”
Aliyu, who expressed worry over the lack of compliance with safety protocols, urged states to increase the rate of their COVID-19 testing. He also asked them to enforce the wearing of masks in public space mandatory.