COVID-19: Nasarawa Mulls 24hrs Restriction Order

BY AHMED TUKUR, LAFIYA – There are indications that the Nasarawa state government might review its restriction order to a 24 hour curfew in the state.

This follows violations of the order and movement of people through alternative roads to the state in boarder areas like Gwantu, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State and Karu area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Checks by Forefront News indicate that the state government is highly worried by the development and plans to review the restriction order to a more stiffer measure to curtail the influx of people from Abuja, who have turned the border towns to a make shift residence.

It was also gathered that people are now crossing over to other towns in the state like Keffi and neighboring towns because of the 24 hour curfew imposed in Karu Local Government Area of the State by using bypass roads in Mararaba that shares boundary with the FCT and other porous exits to beat the FCT taskforce team.

Complaints from Individuals and groups are of the view that the 24 hour curfew imposed in Karu has not had any significant impact as people in the area and other parts of the state are moving about freely.

Although the state government provided health personnel at entry points with kits to test people coming into the state, it has been discovered that the number of people entering the state from neighboring Kaduna, Plateau and other entry points, calls for concern.

Some people, who spoke to our correspondent said that they had to go out on daily bases before they can get what to leverage on as a family.

For instance, Ismaila Haruna, a motorcycle rider, said he has to make payment weekly to meet contractual agreement for his hire purchased motorcycle.

It was also gathered that the state government will soon distribute foodstuff to people in the state to cushion the effect of the restriction and the possible curfew.

Various groups are calling for more commitment and measures to step up the campaign and to provide palliatives while applauding efforts already put in place by the state government to contain the spread of the virus and promising to assist in ensuring that policy measures are achieved.

The Chairman of the Nasarawa state correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Isaac Ukpoju said that despite the 24 curfew imposed in Karu Local Government Area of the state, compliance is not encouraging due to vehicular movement and other activities going on in the area.

Upkoju however commended the state government for measures taken so far and urged the government to step up the sensitization to rural areas.

He also appealed to government at all levels to consider palliatives for journalists, who are also part of those on essential duties.

In his own message, the traditional ruler of Shabu area of Lafia, Mahmud Umar Bwalla II, appealed to the state government to provide palliatives to assist the needy in the state to cushion the effect of the stay at home order.

Similarly, the chairman of MiyettI Allah cattle breeders association of Nigeria, Nasarawa State chapter, Mohammed Hussaini appealled to the state.

government to include Fulani in the palliatives, saying that his group is taking the burden of the sensitization of its members.

Hussaini said; “Our people no longer go out because of the restriction. We are appealing to government to consider our people during the distribution of palliatives.

Also speaking, the Nasarawa state President of Tiv Youth Organization, Comrade Peter Ahembe, called on the state taskforce on COVID-19 to ensure 24 hour surveillance at the border areas for enforcement of total compliance, adding that in spite of the restriction order, people are still moving into the state.

Ahembe said with commitment and provision of necessary facilities, the state will continue to remain COVID-19 free thus urged the state government to as a matter of urgency, commence the distribution of palliatives to the people of the state.