The Ogun State Government says appropriate sanctions will be meted out to any official who diverts relief materials meant to be distributed to the poor and vulnerable in the State to cushion the effects of the State's lockdown.
The State Goverrnor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who gave the warning at a press briefing held in Ogere, Ikenne LGA, said government would take seriously any act that would undermine its efforts towards mitigating the suffering of the poor and the vulnerable.
"Any report of diversion or sharp practices that undermine the objective of the relief materials will be viewed very seriously, as there will be consequences.
"COVID-19 has traumatised us enough and government will not tolerate any further taking of advantage of the people, especially at this trying time," he warned.
The relief materials, the Governor noted, would comprise 5kg of rice, beans and garri, tomato puree, salt and sugar which would be securely packed in a portable container and distributed to 500,000 families across the State, starting with 100,000 as the first batch.
Governor Abiodun also noted that food banks have been established in each of the three Senatorial Districts to ensure proper storage and packaging, appealing to the people to exercise patience and be orderly at the distribution centres as stampede which would defeat the purpose of providing the succour, would not be allowed.
He revealed that a Relief Materials Distribution Task Force has been set up in each of the Local Government Areas and would have Chairman of each LGA as the Chairman, Chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC) as Vice Chairman, representatives of market men and women, House of Assembly members, and two political office holders, Permanent Secretary or a Director in the Civil Service from the LGA.
Other members include Chairman, League of Imam and Alfas, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), while the Head of Local Government Administration in each LGA, would serve as Secretary.
He said the task force, which would also be replicated in the 236 wards of the State, are to ensure that the materials get to the grassroots, and to submit periodic reports that contain basic information for audit in each ward and LGA.
Other measures to cushion the effects of the lockdown, according to the Governor include tele-medicine platform where people would access medicare, saying that people would only be taken to the hospital in extreme cases.
He said the State has a total of 14 Ventilators, haven acquired 12, eight which are combined Ventilators and Analesia machines and four mobile Ventilators, while two were given to the State by RCCG's Pastor E.A Adeboye.
Prince Abiodun, who informed that the lockdown would be total from Friday night till 7am on Tuesday, said it would be suspended on Tuesday from 7am (in the morning) to 2pm (in the afternoon) to allow for essential business activities, adding that the grace period would be observed every other day throughout the week.
He said government will use the lockdown period to carry out other preventive measures which include the fumigation of all markets, motor parks, squares and other public places, urging the people to stay in their homes to avoid inhaling dangerous chemicals.
While admonishing the people to continue to observe safety measures by regular washing of hands with soap and water, maintaining social distance among others, the Governor reminded the people that gatherings in the day or night has been suspended, while night clubbing has also been banned.
COVID-19; OGUN TO ACQUIRE MOLECULAR LAB
The Ogun State Government has said that it would acquire a Molecular Laboratory, so that suspected Coronavirus patients would be tested in the State.
The State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun who made the disclosure at a press briefing in the eve of the total lockdown of the State, noted that it was imperative for the State to have its own testing laboratory to save time and minimise the anxiety among the patients and their family members.
"Ogun State will in a couple of days, have its own Molecular Laboratory to test its patients. As at now, we send samples either to Lagos or Ede for testing. Our laboratory will reduce time wastage and minimise the anxiety experienced by patients and their family members," he noted.
He said his administration was making efforts to launch the 10-bed Intensive Care Unit which also has some Ventilators at the 250-bed hospital at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, in the next three weeks to bring the total number of Ventilators to 24.
Governor Abiodun also hinted of plans to enforce the usage of face masks in the State, as the device has proven to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in other parts of the world.
He said out of about 200 cases in the country, the State has two active cases out of four confirmed cases, while two have been discharged and one out of the remaining two cases would soon be discharged. He called on the people not to panic, as medical and health professionals are on top of the situation.
The Governor, who appreciated nine-year old Oluwashikemi Ogunleye, for donating the Sum of 950 Naira to the State Government to combat the Coronavirus, thanked others who have come out to identify with the Government in its efforts, by donating money, gifts and infrastructure, calling on others to take a cue from them.
