By Golok Nanmwa,Jos

Group in Plateau operating under the aegis of Labour/CSO Covid-19 Situation room has applauded the Governor Simon Lalong led administration’s robust response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Plateau State.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by Steve Aluko and Paul Jatau the Chairman and Secretary of the group and made available to newsmen in Jos .

They said that The Labour/CSO Covid-19 Situation room on the Plateau appreciates the State Government for the measures taken since the relaxation of the lockdown measures.

The group said it welcomes the enforcement by government of the safety protocols put in place and encourages it to continue in that regard so as to guarantee the wellbeing of its citizenry.

“We welcome and acknowledge the closure of some institutions that failed to adhere to the protocols and call on government to do even more to bring defaulters to book. More punishment should be meted out on those who refuse to observe and obey the protocols to deter others from doing same”

“Indeed, we are encouraged by the efforts of the State Ministry of information and culture for deploying its enlightenment vans to strategic locations spreading the COVID-19 message. “

The group further said that the situation Room commends as well some institutions who put measures in place and were able to detect and consequently fumigated their premises while testing their staff to curb the spread of the pandemic.

They encourage government, religious and other corporate institutions to put in place effective mechanisms in place to check, test and arrest further spread of the virus.

“As regards compliance, face masks which were hardly worn before the commencement of the enforcement has witnessed an appreciable increase.”

“However, tricycle operators seem to have scant regards for the NCDC protocols as they convey more than the recommended number of passengers who at most times do not even adorn the face masks.”

“Indeed, commercial vehicle operators plying township roads scarcely do not obey the social distancing rule nor do they enforce the wearing of face masks.”

The Situation Room therefore, calls on government to, as a matter of urgency, set up a specialize task force that would be saddled with the responsibility of enforcing the protocols on a daily basis until there is reduction in the spread of the virus.

This to us will jolt the people out of their lacklustre attitude towards obeying the protocols put in place by the NCDC and government.

They also said that Community leaders should be engaged to carry messages on the dangers inherent in neglecting the protocols to their various communities.

The Situation Room also encourages government to motivate those that would be engaged to enforce adherence to the protocols so as to dissuade them from turning blind eyes to those who observe the protocol in breach.

Governmental should also take advantage of the network already established by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) which has offices spread across the nooks and crannies of the country in taking the COVID-19 message to the rural communities.

“With regards to reopening of schools, Government should tow the part of Lagos State Government, which has started working out ways of ensuring the protection of students in the event that schools are reopened. We also suggest government looks at the Ghana model on the reopening of schools at the appropriate time.

“The Situation Room calls on workers and CSO’s to rise to the occasion by leading the enlightenment drive and help curb the danger posed by the pandemic.”

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Plateau group commends Gov Lalong’s efforts towards combating COVID-19