…Orders Gombe Civil Servants on Grade Levels 1‐12 to Work from Home

…As Gombe Governor Commits over N500m to Fight Coronavirus

By James Ezema

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State has suspended all public gatherings in the State just as he ordered civil servants on grade levels 1‐12 to work from home.

The Governor equally directed the suspension of interstate travels and commuting from, through or to Gombe state with effect from Sunday, 29th of this month.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya who gave the directives while addressing a press conference at the new banquet hall of the Government House, said the order instructing civil servants on grade levels 1‐12 will come into effect from Monday next week.

The Governor however said the work at home order excludes civil servants on essential duties such as those working in hospitals, fire service department, water board and electricity workers.

In his words ” Government has also resolved to implement some measures to curb the spread of the deadly disease as follows:
i) All public gatherings are hereby suspended in the state until further notice;
ii) Interstate travels/ commuting by public/private mass transport agencies and operators will be suspended from Sunday 29th March, 2020;
iii) Civil servants from grade levels 1-12 should work from their homes for 2 weeks from Monday, 30th March, 2020. However, this order does not affect officers on essential services, e.g. health workers, fire service, water and power supply etc; and
iv) All social life outfits like clubs, bear parlours, etc have been suspended with immediate effect.

The Governor said such precautionary measures become necessary in order to halt the possible spread of the coronavirus pandemic in the state and to guarantee the general well being of the people.

He called on members of the public to continue to observe protective measures such as maintaining social distance and personal hygiene which have been proven to be effective in the control of the dreaded virus.

While reiterating his administration’s commitment towards the prevention and control of the Coronavirus pandemic, Governor Inuwa Yahaya said though there is no confirmed case in Gombe state, Government has so far identified 4 isolation centres at the state specialist hospital and Kwadon cottage hospital while Kaltungo and Bajoga General hospitals are on standby in case the two centres are overwhelmed.

He appealed to traditional rulers and religious leaders, youth groups, civil society and non-governmental organisations in state to join Government in the sensitization campaign on the dangers of the pandemic and the need to adhere to professional advice on ways to prevent or control it.

Answering questions from journalists, Governor Yahaya disclosed that his administration has committed over five hundred million Naira to the fight against coronavirus. He said, ” I have already approved two hundred and ninety six million Naira to the state Taskforce on covid-19 for the purchase of hospital equipment to be used for setting up of the isolation centres and purchase of essential facilities and equipment”.

“Another two hundred million naira has also been approved for local Government councils of the State to ensure that the Coronavirus is contained at the local Government level through advocacy and enlightenment campaigns.

” Prior to the setting up of the Taskforce committee on the covid-19, the state Government had released the sum of twenty eight million naira to the ministry of health for purchase of hospital consumables and relevant items”, the Governor revealed.