*Ministry activates health desks in 774 LGs
By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, has extended a get well message to Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the Kaduna State Governor, who on Saturday confirmed he tested positive to coronavirus.
A press release by the Director, Press in the Ministry, Saghir el Mohammed said this is contained in a tweet on the Ministers official Twitter handle on Saturday.
The tweet said:
“Your Excellency, Gov @elrufai I wish you a speedy and full recovery from your illness. Get well soon”
Meanwhile, the Minister has commended efforts been put together by Nigerians to support the containment of COVID-19.
According to the statement, the Minister
said the increase in cases over the last few days according to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) update indicated that Nigerians need to take more serious measures to collectively contain the virus.
“Dr. Abubakar , a member of the Presidential Task Force on the control of the spread of coronavirus code named #PTF-COVID19, urged Nigerians to continue heeding to advice of experts and Government on COVID-19.
He said: “As more people are being encouraged to go into self isolation, we must remind everyone to stay home & practice social distancing. We know this is immensely difficult for many of us, but we know this is the right thing to do. We can, & must take these steps together. @NigeriaGov.
“The #PresidentialTaskForce of the @NigeriaGov on the control of the spread of COVID-19 is continuing to take necessary action, but we all need Nigerians to do their part. Avoid large gatherings, practice social distancing, wash your hands, cover your cough and stay home.”
He disclosed that the Department of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, as well as the Environmental Health Officers Council of Nigeria have since deployed their personnel across the country disinfecting and decontaminating public places such as markets, motor parks, airports, schools, and other congested areas in conjunction with relevant authorities all in an effort to contain further spread of the epidemic.
“We have also activated Environmental Health Desks in all the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the country to vigorously pursue grassroots advocacy, offer guidance and counseling, and to disinfect and decontaminate all risk-prone areas,” he added.
