The Kwara CSOs Working Group on COVID-19, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), has called on the state government to always furnish the public with situation report on actions being made to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the state.
The coalition, promoting anti-Coronavirus campaign, said this in a statement signed by its Convener and the Secretary, Mr. Abdulrrahman Ayuba, and Mr. Abdulrasaq Kareem, respectively.
It said that the pace at which the government gave updates of the state’s status on CIVID-19, rate of recovery of patients on admission, and contact tracing was abysmally slow.
The CSOs also asserted that there was no update on the effort of the government to have a testing center in the state.
The coalition also explained that it had noted a poor implementation of palliative among artisans and petty traders to cushion the effects of the continuing lockdown.
“There is generally low awareness on the coronavirus, its causes, transmission, and prevention as well as very low adherence to social distancing directive across the state.
“There is still evidence of vehicular movement into the state in spite of the border closure order by the state government.
“This is happening perhaps with the knowledge and compromise of the security personnel manning checkpoints.
“There is a general dearth of Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline workers such as security personnel, CSO monitors, and journalists among others,” the CSOs said.
The group raised a concern that there might be a high increase of community transmission in the state due to the movement of people within the state and influx from other adjourning states.
The CSOs, however, urged the government to fast-track effort to secure the testing center for the state.
They also called on the state government to ensure mass production and distribution of face masks and make its use compulsory for everyone when going out.
“We seek support for the low-income earners, especially those in the informal sectors with palliative such as soft loan to help them make ends meet post-COVID-19.”
The group called for more vigorous enlightenment on the danger, nature, causes, and mode of transmission of Coronavirus and on social distancing in public places.
“Temperature testing equipment should be made available at major markets’ gates to check the traders and buyers as they enter the market.
“There is also a need for the creation of mini kiosks with temperature testing kits where people can voluntarily check their temperature.
“We also urge the Deputy Governor of the state to fulfill his promises of putting the hand-washing equipment designed by Kwara Polytechnic in all public places in the state,” the group noted.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CSOs include the Organisation for the Sustenance of the Nigerian Environment (OSNE), Media Advocacy and Technology Centre (MATEC), and Grassroots Development Monitoring and Advocacy Centre (GDMAC).
It also includes Centre for Community Empowerment and Poverty Eradication (CCEPE), Community Outreach for Development and Welfare Advocacy (CODWA), Initiative for the visionary education and social Support (IVESS) and the Elites Network for Sustainable Development (ENetSuD).
Others are the Brain Builders International (BBI), Meadows Community and Development Outreach (MCDO), Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) Kwara Chapter, Theios Caregiver Initiatives, YAHF-Nigeria.
It also includes Initiative to Reawaken Kwara Citizenry of Civic Education, Fulfilling Dreams Foundation and the CIRDEV Resource Centre among others.
NAN
