Ekiti state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has warned that any residents of Ekiti that failed to observed fourteen days stay at home order will face serious fines or prison term
The governor in a state broadcast on sunday said “If you do not go home or stay home for at least fourteen (14) days as from Monday, 30 March, 2020, you could face serious fines or prison term”
Text of the Address by
His Excellency
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria
on the occasion of the address titled:
WE MUST DO MORE TO PREVENT AN OUTBREAK IN EKITI STATE
at
Government House, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
on
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Ekiti-kete,
1. On Friday, March 20th 2020, I addressed you on the global
scourge of the novel coronavirus named COVID-19 and its presence in
Ekiti State as well as on the immediate actions we were taking to
prevent the virus and curtail its spread.
2. I am glad to report that as at this morning, Ekiti State has not
recorded any additional case of confirmed coronavirus patient while
our single patient is doing very well in our isolation center, still
without showing any symptom. We are hopeful that his repeat test will
come back negative so he can be discharged soon. However, this could
be attributed to our very low rate of testing due to limited testing
capabilities.
3. I also want to acknowledge the patriotic residents who have
acted responsibly in public interest by complying with the initial
guidelines issued in my broadcast as part of our strategy to prevent
the spread of coronavirus in Ekiti State. However, it is very
disappointing that the majority of Ekiti Citizens have either been
lukewarm, nonchalant or downright defiant in observing the simple but
extremely effective preventive actions of hand washing with soap under
running water, coughing into the inner elbow and maintaining social
distancing to protect themselves from infection and curtail the spread
of the virus in their communities.
4. While I acknowledge our resilient nature, optimism and spiritual
activism as a people, it is critical that we balance this with
pragmatic and urgent actions that can ensure the safety of lives for
our families and communities. Unlike any other infection, the COVID-19
strain of coronavirus is a type the world has never seen, so there is
no verified cure or medication to manage the effects of an infection.
The only proven means of defeating this lethal enemy of the human race
is PREVENTION. And these preventive steps must be taken individually
and collectively for it to be effective.
5. With the devastating impact this virus is having on more
developed countries like the United States, United Kingdom, China,
Italy, Spain and over 140 countries across the world, it is very clear
to us that Nigeria, and especially Ekiti State, cannot afford a
breakout of this virus on a large scale as we do not have the
resources, human and financial, to cope with a surge in positive cases
of the coronavirus infection.
6. If we do not take steps necessary to contain this virus, it has
the potential to overwhelm our health infrastructure, cripple our
economy and devastate Ekiti State in unimaginable proportions. As you
are aware, the State is under significant financial challenges
especially as a direct consequence of the impact of the coronavirus on
the global economy and the price of crude oil that has gone down
considerably. So, we cannot afford a public health crisis.
7. It is in urgent public interest that we must ensure strict
compliance with all directives given to prevent community spreading of
the disease. Therefore, in our collective interest and to further
ensure the safety of Ekiti-kete, having declared Coronavirus (COVID-
19) an infectious disease in Ekiti State, I hereby, in pursuant to
Section 8 of the Quarantine Act, Laws of the federation of Nigeria
2004 and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
amended) impose a curfew of movement in Ekiti State.
8. The purpose of this curfew is to impose restrictions on the
movement of persons and goods within Ekiti State for an initial period
of fourteen days. This is in order to prevent the spread of
Coronavirus in Ekiti State.
9. Therefore, effective from 23H59 (11:59pm) on Monday, March 30,
2020 until 23H59 (11:59pm) on Monday, April 13, 2020, there shall be
restriction of movement across the length and breadth of Ekiti State,
with all our borders closed. That is a full and total shut down of
Ekiti State, and a 12-hour dusk to dawn curfew in Ekiti State from
7:00pm – 7:00 am. All Ekiti residents are hereby directed to STAY – AT
– HOME.
10. We are implementing the Quarantine Act to
keep all Ekiti residents safe. So let me be clear. If you do not go
home or stay home for at least fourteen (14) days as from Monday, 30
March, 2020, you could face serious fines or prison term
11. RESTRICTED MOVEMENT: During this period,
movement between local governments is prohibited; movement between
towns, villages and communities is also prohibited; every person shall
be confined to the place where he or she ordinarily resides in Ekiti
State.
12. EXCEPTIONAL MOVEMENTS: Those who are
performing essential services will be allowed to move around,
particularly health workers, but must be duly designated with an
identity card by the Head of their Institutions. Individuals and
institutions providing the following services shall be exempted from
the restrictions:
i. Members of the Executive, Legislative and the Judiciary;
ii. Production, distr ibution and marketing of food and beverages,
pharmaceutical, medicine, paper and plastic packages
iii. Environmental and sanitation activities
iv. Staff of electricity, water, telecommunications, e-commerce
and digital service providers;
v. Members of security agencies assigned on lawful duties;
vi. Staff of Banks and similar financial institutins;
vii.
Staff of fuel stations.
13. MARKETS / BUSINESSES CLOSED: All businesses
and other entities shall cease operations during this period except
those involved in the provision of essential goods or services.
Markets, Retail shops and shopping malls must be closed, except where
essential goods are sold and with strict hygienic conditions to
prevent the exposure of persons to COVID-19.
14. PROHIBITED GATHERINGS: Religious gatherings
e.g. worship and prayer services, night vigils, house fellowships and
NASFAT meetings; Social gatherings e.g. Funerals, weddings, family
meetings and parties of any kind in night clubs, bars, beer joints;
and Political gatherings, e.g. rallies, congresses, ward meetings. All
of these are prohibited activities under these regulations.
15. EXCEPTIONAL GATHERING: Only gathering in
respect of funeral will be allowed but the attendance shall be limited
to 20 persons with no night vigil or party.
16. CLOSURE OF BORDERS: All borders of Ekiti
State are closed during this period, except for transportation of
fuel, food and drugs and other essential goods. All non-residents who
arrived the State prior to, or after, the imposition of this
restriction, and who remain in the State, must remain in their place
of temporary residence in the State for the duration of the 14 days,
as the case may be, and may be subjected to screening for COVID-19 and
be quarantined or isolated if necessary.
17. PROHIBITION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT: All commuter
transport services including bus services, taxi services, motor bikes
(Okada) and tricycle services (Keke), is prohibited; except those for
purposes of rendering essential services, obtaining essential goods,
seeking medical attention, funeral services and to receive payment of
social grants or food: Provided that such vehicle carries not more
than 50% of the licensed capacity and all directions in respect of
hygienic conditions and the limitation of exposure of persons to
COVID-19, are adhered to.
18. PENALTIES: Any person who contravenes these
regulations shall be guilty of an offence and, on conviction, liable
to a fine or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or
to both such fine and imprisonment.
19. Ekitikete, this administration is fully aware
of the inconvenience these directives will have on our daily lives and
livelihoods but it is the sacrifice we must all make to remain healthy
and alive. To make this a little easier for us all, I hereby announce
the following palliative measures especially for our high risk and
vulnerable citizens.
a. March salaries have been paid last Thursday, 26th March so
civil and public servants can stock up on food and essentials
necessary for the Stay-At-Home period. This was despite the fact that
the FAAC disbursement for March was significantly lower than our
salaries and many other states have found it difficult to pay March
salaries. We are very hopeful that subsequent months will not fail,
though the implications of the global economy are not very encouraging
as IMF formally announced that the world is now in recession due to
the coronavirus pandemic.
b. I have directed that the Ekiti State Food Bank be reactivated
immediately to provide food items to the poor and vulnerable families
in our communities. The Task Force will announce the modalities as
soon as the process is fully activated.
c. The State Government will consider providing a stipend to our
self-employed citizens whose daily income will be interrupted at this
time as subsidy for their loss of income. I have directed the
Commissioners of Finance and Budget to advise on the amount the State
can afford in view of our dire financial constraints.
d. We shall commence the disinfecting of major public places like
markets, bus stops, motor parks, health facilities, and all likely
places where the virus may be lurking across our State. Already, a
massive cleanup and disinfection is ongoing in some locations in Ado
Ekiti e.g. Atikankan, Irona and Oja Oba areas and I am aware some
Local Government Chairmen are already taking initiatives to dredge and
clear drains within their jurisdictions.
e. Massive advocacy and sensitization is ongoing to advise you on
the necessary preventive measures and how to identify and manage the
symptoms of COVID-19 as well as what to do when you notice symptoms of
fever, coughing, diarrhea or difficult breathing. Please remember that
anyone can carry the coronavirus even if they do not have any of these
symptoms; that is why you must wash your hands regularly and abstain
from bodily contact at this time
f. To protect our senior citizens who have been proven to be
most vulnerable to this deadly virus please do not visit your elderly
parents or family at this time to prevent the risk of infecting them.
If they live with you, please keep them separate as much as possible.
Do not let them share common household items like plates, spoons,
towels, soaps at this period. We must keep them safe and healthy as
much as we can.
20. Ekitikete, it is necessary to let you know
that though this virus is deadly, a positive result is not a death
sentence. Anyone showing symptoms is most likely going to get better
but may be very sick for some time, depending on the capacity of
his/her body to fight the infection. Instead of stigmatizing anyone
with symptoms, they should be cared for in accordance with medical
advisory while the caregivers must ensure they protect themselves from
being infected. Please call the Emergency Number 112 or 09062970434,
09062970435 and 09062970436 if anyone around you is showing symptoms,
but first, isolate them from the rest of the family.
21. I have also directed the Ministry of Health
to begin the process of establishing a second isolation center in Ado
Ekiti. We currently have a 10-bed Isolation Center but we must begin
to increase our capacity up to 100 beds with necessary medical
equipment required to manage suffering patients. We have also ordered
more PPE for our medical personnel to protect them from infection
while caring for the sick.
22. This war against the coronavirus COVID-19 is
a global one. Nigeria is just joining this global battle and we are
doing everything possible nationally and at state levels to protect
our citizens from this deadly virus. However, a time like this calls
for better coordination among all stakeholders – Federal, State,
development partners and private sector in order to stem the tide of
this pandemic. One area that States have been speaking with one voice
is the importance of ramping up on testing. The World Health
Organisation (WHO) advisory is to test, test and test. We need the
Federal Government to accelerate the establishment of more testing
centres whilst at the same time allowing testing to be done by
private laboratories and also give approval for the use of quick
test-kits as a way of halting community spread of the virus.
23. Another key request of States is that the
Federal Government enable a joined-up strategy for addressing the
economic implications of the pandemic by providing stimulus for those
likely to be affected by loss of income and to States and Local
Governments directly hit by the impact of the measures taken.
24. This is a very expensive battle, especially
for us in Ekiti State, where we can barely meet our regular
obligations. I have therefore been holding meetings with development
partners, philanthropic bodies and federal agencies to assist us in
preventing an outbreak in Ekiti State by providing access to some of
the support available nationally. We have also set up an Ekiti State
COVID-19 PANDEMIC SUPPORT ACCOUNT with UBA Current Account Number
1022752067 for donations towards our efforts in this regard.
25. I want to thank all our citizens and
political leaders who are providing hand sanitizers and information
leaflets to their constituents as a way to sensitize and educate them
on this virus. We encourage everyone to do all they can to ensure
awareness, compliance and prevention in every farmstead and community
in Ekiti State. While the state government will continue to do all we
can, every family, community, kingdom and local government must also
take responsibility for their area of jurisdiction. All hands must be
on deck to defeat coronavirus in Ekiti State. It must be our
collective responsibility.
26. Ekiti-kete, this indeed is a trying period,
not only for our State or Nation, but for the whole world. I therefore
plead for your understanding and tolerance as we jointly fight and
defeat this monster, COVID-19.
27. As a government, to save the life of
Ekiti-kete is our topmost priority. Hence, it is my plea to you to
continue staying wherever you are right now within Ekiti State.
28. The coming days are definitely going to be
unusual and somewhat unpleasant, but if this is what it takes to
ensure our collective safety, I urge you all to cooperate with the
government and make the sacrifice.
29. The measures we are taking now have been
taken by more advanced and technically prepared government, all in the
quest to curtail the spread of coronavirus and protect the life of the
citizenry.
30. Coronavirus is not a respecter of persons,
many highly placed persons have been infected all over the world,
including in Nigeria. If you or anyone has been in contact with anyone
who just arrived from abroad in the past 7 days, please call the
emergency numbers immediately.
31. You will recall that I also went into
self-isolation after I submitted myself to be tested for coronavirus.
I thank you most sincerely for your concern and prayers, while I
waited for my result which eventually came out negative.
32. I must confess that the period of waiting for
the result of my test was a difficult moment for me. As a responsible
leader, my thought was not about my result, but about people around me
and those I have made contact with. The palpable fear of someone being
infected through me was more tormenting than my own personal
wellbeing.
33. On this note, I implore you to let us take
responsibility for our life and the lives of those around us. All the
helplines already given out are active and will respond in case of an
emergency.
34. The Taskforce will continue to update you on
the efforts we are taking to curtail the spread of this virus as
earlier announced. Please avoid spreading rumors or unauthorized
medical tips. There are no known cure for COVID-19 globally yet so
please do not endanger your life by taking any concoction that will
harm you out of fear.
35. Ekitikete, this is not the time to be fearful
or panic stricken. COVID-19 is not a death sentence. We are not
helpless against it if we are resolved to prevent it. Keep all the
preventive measures, stay at home and maintain social distancing.
Government is determined to ensure we stop its spread. You also must
be determined to do your part.
36. Once again, I plead for your usual support
and understanding, and pray that at the end of it all, we will have
cause to rejoice and congratulate ourselves for taking necessary
precautions.
37. Alale Ekiti a ja ko a o!
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor
—
DIS
