Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has expressed concern over the spread of COVID-19 in Lafia, the state capital.
Engineer Sule made his feelings known while delivering an opening remarks during the weekly state executive council meeting, at the Government House, Lafia.
The Governor lamented that Lafia has overtaken Keffi with 35 positive cases recorded, following Karu with the highest recorded cases of 78, while Keffi recorded 31.
Engineer Sule blamed the trend on the nonchalant attitude of residents, who flout regulations put in place by government to curtail further spread of the pandemic.
“Karu has remained the major challenge for us, with 78 out of 193 cases, with Keffi having 31. Unfortunately, from the results, Lafia has overtaken Keffi with 35, because of the way people mingle freely” the Governor stated.
He decried the manner in which some residents ignore regulations put in place to contain further spread of the virus, stressing that government is concerned because Lafia is the seat of power.
The Governor called on members of the executive council, as well as the COVID-19 task force, to step up awareness campaigns, with a view to educating residents of the city on the urgent need to observe and keep all regulations put in place to stop the spread of the dreaded pandemic.
Engineer Sule used the opportunity to update the members of the council on the COVID-19 status of the state, disclosing that so far, Nasarawa State has collected 1,238 samples, out of which 193 tested positive, while 8 deaths were also recorded.
He stated further that while 45 results are still being awaited, 112 persons that tested positive have been treated and discharged.
The Governor used the opportunity to inform the council members, that government will commence the distribution of the 34 trucks of food items donated by COCAVID as palliatives, according to polling units, by weekend.
This, according to him, will enable vulnerable people, who mostly stand long hours in the sun to vote during elections, benefit from the palliatives which include assorted food items like rice, sugar, noodles, spaghetti, semovita, vegetable oil and macaroni.
Engineer Sule equally expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, over the recent award of the construction of a 3.5 km Emir’s Palace/Angwan Doka/Police College road in Lafia, the state capital.
The Governor specifically thanked the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, for facilitating the award of the road contract.
He thanked the council members, people of the state, as well as critical stakeholders, particularly members of the COVID-19 task force, for the efforts to curtail the spread of the pandemic across the state.
