Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya has lauded Ashaka cement plc, a subsidiary of Lafarge Africa for complimenting the Gombe state government’s effort in containing the spread of the covid-19 pandemic with a donation of a fully equipped isolation facility and other items.

The Governor, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau was speaking at the official handing over of the donated facility in Ashaka, said the isolation centre and other items would go a long way in containing the spread and mitigating the effects of the virus.

He noted that the coronavirus pandemic, which has become a global health problem, requires the efforts of everyone in the society, calling on individuals and organizations to assist in the fight against the scourge.

He said the Ashaka Cement Plc has demonstrated an exemplary corporate social responsibility role that will impact on humanity for years to come.

Governor Yahaya urged other corporate organizations operating in the state to borrow a leaf from the Lafarge Africa’s gesture.

He lamented that the covid-19 situation is becoming more worrisome, considering the latest report which represented over 300% increase, stressing the need for all to observe strictly, the protective measures of hand washing, social distancing, use of face mask and staying at home.

The Governor observed that Gombe has a peculiar case of covid-19 index cases by recording up to 30 positive cases in less than a week but however attributed the rapid discovery to the committment of the Professor Idris Mohammed-led task force team in intercepting the suspected carriers before mingling with community members.

He said the discovery of the cases was an indication that the reponse team does not limit its scope on comfirmed cases only but also on tracing their contacts.

The Managing Director, Ashaka cement Plc, Ibrahim Aminu while handing over the facilities to the state Government said the gesture was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility aimed at supporting the Government in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic.

He said the 12-bed isolation centre is equipped with the basic hospital requirements to provide the needed intervention in the event of a suspected or any comfirmed covid-19 case.

The MD further said the cement company has donated 3000 containers of 200 ml of alcohol based hand sanitizers, 120 units of hand wash stations as well as covid -19 awareness campaign posters and flyers translated into Hausa language.

The Managing Director who expressed optimism that supporting the state Government in its concerted effort will help in tackling the spread of the virus squarely, added that the company procured a fully equipped ambulance to be donated to Gombe state with a view to improving its rapid response operations.

Other required items such as face masks and personal protective equipment will soon arrive for presentation to the taskforce team.

Ibrahim Aminu who conductedthe government officials round the equipped isolation centre, further disclosed that Lafarge Africa has also made arrangement for the donation of food packages to about 3000 households across the host community as a palliative.

Chairman of the task force on covid 19, professor Idris Mohammed appreciated Lafarge Africa for the generous donation of the isolation centre and other items, assuring that the facility and items will be judiciously utilized.