By Nurudeen Yisa, Lagos
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the Lagos state government for what it describes as “its courageous, inspiring, professional and reassuring response to the coronavirus scourge in the state”.
The Gazelle News.com reports that the commendation was given in a statement released on Sunday, 5 April, 2020 signed by state Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon Seye Oladejo.
According to the statement, the state government had set necessary machinery in motion to protect the lives of Lagosians in case of a full outbreak even before the report of the Italian index case on Sunday, 22 March, 2020.
The Lagos APC spokesman stated further that:
“The state government reactivated its bio-banking and bio-security laboratory at the Infectious diseases laboratory at Yaba.
The state governor, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu announced himself as the Incident Commander in words and in deed.
“The state government embarked on massive sensitization and enlightenment programs through various media to draw the attention of Lagosians to the danger called COVID 19.
The governor has been responding to the dictates of the times. He, at various times, closed down schools, religious gatherings, clubs and bars. He disseminated the message of social distancing and directed civil servants from grade level 1-12 to stay at home. He also directed that motor parks, gyms, stadia and beauty salons should be shut down.
All these directives preceded the lockdown of the state as announced during the presidential address.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly passed into law a bill titled: ‘A Law to Combat and Stop the Spread of Coronavirus Pandemic in Lagos State and for Connected Purposes’.
The law among others empowers the State Governor to spend at least N20B to combat the pandemic in the state.
It also empowers the security agencies to arrest residents who flout directives aimed at stopping the spread of COVID 19 pandemic in the state.
There was a commendable display of collaboration between the executive and legislative arms of government in the overall interest of the state. The speed and the smooth passage of the bill further underscored the commitment of the law makers.
“The Lagos State Government, as a measure of its responsiveness and responsibility, set up temporary food markets in some schools across the state to cushion the effect of the closure of major markets in the state.
In furtherance if its social intervention efforts, the state government provided food stimulus package for Lagos residents targeting 200,000 households.
“There’s no doubt that the inspiring response of Mr. Governor served as an impetus for the Organized Private Sector and other well meaning individuals to make generous donations to the state government to combat the COVID 19 scourge.
“As a party, we acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifice of those in the frontline of the battle to protect all and sundry. They are in our prayers and we reassure them that they have a special place in history for this great effort.
We also appreciate our law enforcement agencies for an incident free first few days of the lockdown. We urge them to remain calm and professional all through.
“We enjoin all Lagosians to continue to cooperate with the government in this historic battle against COVID 19 by obeying all measures put in in place for our collective wellbeing. We should continue to stay at home, observe all, social distancing and hygiene tips and call the Emmergency phone numbers provided if need be.
“Without any doubt, the events of the past few days, has underscored the fact that leadership is earned in unusual trying moments as the COVID 19 scourge represents.
“Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu has led the battle from the front by his provision of the wherewithal for our medical practitioners to deliver, provide succor for the vulnerable and by his time to time interaction with the citizens.
“The Lagos State Government’s approach to battle COVID 19 has since become the model highly commended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the international media like the CNN.
While we, as a party, commend and support the efforts of the Lagos State Government so far, we urge all and sundry to provide the needed cooperation at all times. We shall win this battle together”.
Copyright: The Gazelle News.com
