COVID 19: Gov. Bello begs retired Doctors, Nurses, Volunteers to return to work

The Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, has pleaded with retired health workers to resume work so as to help in the prevention and curtailing of the spread of the Coronavirus Disease, saying: “The state wants to buy its own test kits.”
The Governor made this appeal on Sunday during a live radio broadcast at the Government House, Minna saying: “I am happy Niger State is still free from the virus, but we must tighten up.
“There will be incentives for volunteers.
“I have given approval to the Commissioner for Health that all retired health workers, especially Doctors and including volunteers, either private or public, to be engaged.
“I have given the Commissioner approval to invite and accept them.”
Emphasising on the need to alleviate the sufferings of the people during the stay at home directive because of COVID-19, the Governor ordered Abuja Electricity Distribution Company to ensure a minimum of 18 hours power supply daily.
According to Governor Sani Bello: “We need to reduce the hardship.
“Three hours daily is unacceptable.
“I have told the Deputy Governor (Ahmad Ketso) to reach out to the AEDC and he said they are still in discussion to see that we have 18 hours of power supply on daily basis.
“I am deeply concerned about the hardship, especially with the heat.
“We must do it at all cost to ease the sufferings.
“Most of the children are worst hit by the heat and no electricity.”
Furthermore, Bello said other measures like water supply will be taken care of by the state Water Board, adding that the Niger State Transport Company should make buses available to move patients since the state does not have enough ambulances.
He added: “I have instructed the Commissioner for Water Resources and the General Manager of the State Water Board to ensure water tankers supply areas that don’t have water within this period.
“I have given approval to the Commissioner for Environment and the General Manager, Niger State Environmental Protection Agency to buy disinfectants to spray public places like markets, schools, religious places and government facilities.
“I have also asked the Commissioners for Education and Health to convert some schools, at least one in each of the Emirates, into Isolation Centres in case there is an explosion.
“Kotangora and Bida would have two centres each because of their sizes.”
Bello commended religious leaders and their followers for abiding by the directives to prevent and curtail the spread of the virus, adding: “The palliatives must cover everyone, including those in the Internally Displaced Persons camps.”