Following the directive for closure of establishments across the country in order to curtail the spread of dreaded coronavirus infection code-named COVID-19, Gombe State House of Assembly has announced the closure of legislative activities for the next three weeks.
The announcement of the closure was made on Wednesday as directed by Speaker of the House, Abubakar Sadiq Ibrahim as a way to complement the state government’s efforts towards taking proactive measure against the spread of the pandemic in the state.
According to a statement by the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the House, Abubakar Mohammed Umar, all staff of the Assembly as well as those of the Gombe House of Assembly Service Commission were directed to stay at home from Wednesday, March 25 to Tuesday April 14.
The statement further contained that the decision was arrived at after a meeting between the Speaker and Principal Officers of the House due to the fact that being a public office, the Assembly is opened to members of the public which makes it susceptible to the possible spread of the virus, hence the need to shut it down for a while.
The Speaker according to the statement further said that the leadership of the House is concerned about the welfare and safety of its workers and the entire people of the state and therefore strongly advised people of Gombe State to follow the measures put in place by Governments at all levels to contain the spread of the Pandemic.
Abubakar Sadiq Ibrahim also emphasized the need for intensive public enlightenment on the symptoms of the disease and the self-preventive measures needed to be taken.
While tasking the Media to be at the forefront in the campaign, he advised Journalists to ensure that information on the disease is not only sourced from credible sources but is thoroughly verified before being published or broadcast as he cautioned the social media against postings what will jeopardize the efforts of government towards curbing the spread of the disease.
The Speaker then appreciated the prompt preventive measures taken by the Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya towards protecting people from contracting the disease and assured him of the State Legislature’s support towards that direction.
The Speaker, who is optimistic that Allah in His Infinite mercy will see the Country and the entire world through this pandemic, urged political, Community and religious leaders as well as the entire populace to be prayerful as they take precautionary and preventive measures.
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