Chairman, Northern Governors Forum and Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong
By Raymond Gukas, Jos
Ostensibly bogged by none compliance to halt inter-state movements as a result of the spread of COVID-19 by member states, the northern governors might have resolved to deploy members of their various cabinets to enforce the compliance.
This position neccesitated the Northern Governors Forum, (NGF), 4th teleconference meeting on Wednesday to review the region’s COVID-19 response, and deliberate on other matters relating to its progress and development.
According to a press release signed by Simon Makut Macham, director of press to Plateau State governor and Chairman of the forum, Simon Lalong, top civil servants would also be engaged to ensure total compliance of inter state lockdowns.
According to him, during the meeting Chairman of the Forum acknowledged and appreciated the intervention of the Federal Government following their request to President Muhammadu Buhari for the deployment of more security personnel to the region to tackle the security challenges bedeviling the region.
The forum acknowledged that banditry, kidnapping, insurgency, and other crimes are threatening livelihoods and preventing farmers from going to their farms, and these portends serious dangers ahead if not checkmated.
“On the profiling and evacuation of Almajiris, the Forum noted that so far, there has been appreciable progress as many States have transferred Almajiris to other States and also received their citizens without any problem.
“They resolved to continue with the exercise by strictly following laid down protocols for profiling, quarantining, testing, transportation, handing and taking over as well as reintegration.
“The governors also maintained their earlier decision to purchase COVID-19 Mobile Testing Vans which have already been ordered to boost testing of more citizens especially in the rural areas”, the release hinted.
They further harped on the enforcement of the closure of inter-state boundary roads, which they expressed disappointment “that despite several measures taken, including Presidential orders, there are still violations where people move from one state to another through compromise and use of illegal routes.”
