By Modupe Adegboro
Kogi State government has declared its commitment in keeping up with international standards while protecting its people from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The state commissioner for information and Communication, Evang Kingsley Fanwo gave the indication on Radio Nigeria audience participation programme over the weekend, reacting to questions on the level of preparedness of the state towards combating the coronavirus pandemic.
Fanwo who said the state had been complying with standards set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) expressed determination of the state government to continue operating in global standards to protect its people.
“Covid-19 is a global pandemic and there are global procedures for it. The State has to follow these standard procedures in dealing with it.”
Fanwo also said Governor Yahaya Bello- led administration would always cooperate with relevant health agencies that are ready to assist in straightening the state’s health care infrastructure.
“As a government, we are ready to work with any institution that will help us in tackling the pandemic and in strengthening our health care infrastructure. We are open to any sort of discussion that will not be in contravention to international and global practices.”
Reiterating the state’s readiness for any eventuality, the commissioner said adequate health personnel and well equipped isolation centres have been put in place; noting that the state had drawn experience from handling Lassa fever cases, and is not doing anything differently with the new case.
He however called for a review of the sensitisation and publicity strategies on Covid-19; saying, the economy could still be accorded its rightful place of priority in the present circumstance and inspite of the scourge.
“Government needs to redraw the whole strategy around Covid-19 and open up our economy. We are consuming the whole lot of rice we have stored now; and when we are through with the consumption, we have to resort to importation again when we should be looking towards food sufficiency”, he affirmed.
While commending health institutions in the country on the fight against the scourge, Fanwo asked for better conditions in some of the isolation centres and urged the federal government not to relent until an end is put to the pandemic.
