We are delighted that the Kwara State Government has seen reason with the Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to commence immediate proactive measures aimed at curtailing the deadly Ebola virus.
Although, the government characteristically, tried to politicise our genuine alarm on the need for it to rise up to its responsibility, but we are nevertheless fulfilled that we have been able to wake the government up form its slumber.
But beyond issuing press releases, Kwarans want to know in practical terms, the steps that have been taken so far.
As far as we are concerned, we are not aware of any radio or television jingles being sponsored by the APC-led state government to sensitise the public, as claimed by the government.
There is therefore the need for concerned government officials to move out of the cosy comfort of their offices and go all out to combat what has now become a continental tragedy.
Thus, apart from the measures the government claimed it had put in place, the Kwara PDP would like to offer the following, as a demonstration of our commitment to the collective fight against the viral disease and our belief that extraordinary challenges require extraordinary measures:
1 The government should, in the spirit of the emergency and the fact that the assignment of health workers in Kwara State will now double, consider the urgent improvement of their welfare package, for which they have clamoured for years without results.
2. The government should look at the possibility of insuring the precious lives of the medical personnel that will now face extra risk in the line of their duty.
3. The government should double its commitment on sensitisation and mobilisation of Kwarans living in the border areas. This is to help innocent Kwarans to take preventive measures while dealing with nationals of other countries that share borders with Kwara State.
3. The government should raise a special Joint Task Force (JKF) compromising its officials, community and religious leaders and relevant security agencies, particularly the immigration, at the border communities, to ensure a controlled border crossing.
4. The government, apart from radio and television jingles, should take the campaigns to mosques and churches and should actively engage our traditional and religious rulers in the fight against the scourge.
5. The government should establish a sinking funds, where families of victims would be taken care of in case of any emergency
6. The government should immediately seek the cooperation of private medical practitioners and equip such hospitals, which are now in good number across the state, with adequate equipment to fight the scourge.
7. The Government should seek for the control of the eating of bats and monkeys, said to be the primary host of the virus, but which are unfortunately, still being consumed in parts of Kwara State
8. The government should identify 'hot spots' where bats have their large concentration across the state and see if such bat community could be dispersed or disarmed
It is our hope that if all these afore-mentioned measures are deployed together with those already highlighted by the government, Kwara and indeed Nigeria, will be cleansed of the tragedy of Ebola
Thank you
Rex. Kola Olawoye
Publicity Secretary
