The Deputy Governor of Borno state, Umar Kadafur has lamented that
people still doubt the existence and spread of coronavirus (COVID-19)
disease.
According to him, Boko Haram insurgency was initially underrated by
some residents like the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
Kadafur raised alarm Saturday in Maiduguri, while lamenting
non-compliance of residents’ guidelines/protocols on social
distancing, hand washing, use of sanitizers, face masks and personal
hygiene to prevent COVID-19 disease.
Kadafur, who doubles as Chairman of COVID-19 response team said: “It’s
highly regretful, despite the increasing rate of spread of the
pandemic.
“A large number of people in the state do not believe the existence of
the virus,” noting that, it is rather unfortunate that many people
participated in burial ceremonies and observed congregational prayers
against the rules of physical/social distancing.
While lamenting non-existence of disease, he said: “When Boko Haram
started, many people felt that; it was something not to be taken
seriously, until it consumed everybody.
“COVID-19 is another Boko Haram coming, and yet people don’t believe
it’s real. I keep saying it’s real.”
He said as a COVID-19 response team; its members will continue telling
the general public to reach out with advocacy and sensitization.
He noted that the response team; is working round the clock to
establish a new Isolation centre, as two existing ones at Ngaranam and
that of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) are
overstretched by over 50 per cent capacity.
According to him; “Our COVID-19 response team and other partners; have
engaged in serious meetings on the establishment of the new isolation
center in the past two days.
“This makes it very difficult for me to personally attend the daily
media briefings for the last few days.”
Continued; “Despite the best responses of the team; there are some
people out there who want to discredit not only the state response
team, but the whole nation.
“Even if I’m to be infected, I have to be taken there, so we’ll have
to put in our best.
“And as far as I’m concerned, the response team is doing its best and
we’ll do our best towards that.”
He therefore, urged the people to believe that the virus is real and
have no cure yet.
He also appealed to the media and general public to know how the team
is responding to COVID-19 pandemic in Borno.
While speaking on COVID-19 sensitization, he said: “I’ll not be
deterred from what I’m doing, and as a committee we’ll continue to
sensitize the general public and take the advocacy to wherever
necessary to call the attention of the people.”
On the viral audio of wife of late member; Borno State House of
Assembly, representing Nganzai, Bukar Wakil, he said: “This audio
couldn’t have been from her, or if it’s from her it’s rather
unfortunate.
“I had been in contact with the late legislator and the deputy speaker
of the house even before the deceased was taken to the hospital.”
He however; advised the people to maintain NCDC guidelines on hand
washing, personal hygiene, physical distancing, and avoid crowds to
prevent spread of the deadly virus that claimed 11 lives.
Secretary of response team, Dr. Salihu Kwayabura, who also doubles as
Health Commissioner urged residents to wear their face masks when
leaving their homes, and wash their hands when they return.
The daily media update has also been rescheduled to hold every Mondays
and Thursdays at the Government House Multi-purpose Hall, Maiduguri.
According to the commissioner, this will enable the committee gather
more information to give out, rather than holding daily updates with
no clear cut information.
“In an emergency situation of COVID-19, where the public need to be
informed; an extra media update be summoned for journalists.” he
noted.
