Photo: Comr. Godwin O. Saturday, Nadesstu National President
We bring greetings of warmth, solidarity and hope to Deltans from the apex cum umbrella body of Students of Deltan origin worldwide. While we appreciate the drive of the State government and other well meaning individuals and groups within the state and the country at large to curb the menace of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), which has been laying waste to lives at an exponential rate and adversely affecting economic activities to a potential halt.
The prompt action of the state government to take precautionary steps such as border closure and movement restriction, media sensitization, building testing and treatment facilities etc, even when there are no recorded cases of infection within the state is laudable. The prevailing global health realities brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak has brought hardship to the masses due to the alteration of their routine socio-economic activities by the directive of government and Health care workers in a drive to prevent the further spread of this disease.
In light of the current situation, we are calling the government, individuals and groups in the private sector to redirect their focus to the under listed needs of the masses to ensure policy compliance and eliminate acts that might compromise the effort of all stakeholders in bringing an end to the spread of the disease;
1. Health Care Supplies: Many household within the state cannot afford to purchase the preventive health care items required to curb the spread of COVID-19 at the price prior to the pandemic outbreak. With the spike in price triggered by demand spike and short fall in supply of these items, many are vulnerable to exposure and infection.
Hand sanitizers, Hand gloves, thermometers, face mask etc, are essential items that the masses need but cannot afford.
2. Relief Supplies: Countries with higher per-capital income and a population mostly living above the poverty line made provision of relief welfare materials for its citizens to buffer the effect of government lock down and encourage policy compliance within its jurisdiction. The narrative should not be different within Delta State as many of our people live below the poverty line and may violate lock-down directives in an attempt to provide for their basic needs if the situation becomes unbearable.
Thus essential items and cash relief distribution should be integrated to the control approach for the COVID-19 pandemic. Special attention should be given to this need as many within the masses survive on income derived from daily earnings and have been handicapped by the lock directives of the state government.
3. Monitoring and Sensitization group: To complement of the government, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other health advocacy group, the government should partner willing individuals and groups at each Local Government Area to oversee public awareness on issues patterning to hygiene, government policy, situation monitoring and reporting etc.
This approach is necessary especially for remote areas within the state that do not have access to electronic media such as internet, radio, television etc, and also to ensure that the right set of information are disseminated to the masses.
We therefore call on all individuals and groups in government and the private sector; the Deputy Senate President; Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, the State Governor; Sen.(Dr.) Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, Senators, Members of the Federal House of Representative Ministers, Members House of Assembly, The Judiciary, Commissioners, Local Government Area Chairmen/Chairladies, all Security Agencies, Corporations and Businesses, Groups and Individuals affiliated to the state in one way or the other to rally together in support of the government’s drive to safeguard lives and properties within the state by making contributions to address the needs highlighted above.
Photo: Nadesstu National President at a function
We are also calling on citizens of Delta State especially the youths and student population to be law-abiding and shun social vices while the lock down persist. In an event of need, please endeavour to communicate to the appropriate body directly or through the leadership of National Association of Delta State Student (NADESSTU) Worldwide.
We hope to conquer as a people and pray for the safety of everyone in this trying time, stay home and stay safe.
Thank you and God bless.
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