By Adeniyi Adedeji, Ilorin
The Kwara State government has announced its readiness to give palliatives to Kwarans to cushion the effects of a lockdown it imposed on the state because of COVID-19.
In a related development, the state had closed its land borders to prevent the spread of the pandemic Corona Virus into the state through its borders.
The state governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, had on Monday donated his 10 months’ salaries, beginning from May last year.
Addressing journalists in Ilorin, the state capital, the Deputy Governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi, said the Emir of Tsonga, Dr. Yahaya Haliru, representing the Kwara State Traditional Council, would chair the committee to distribute the palliative items.
The Deputy Governor showed journalists donations to the state Technical Committee on COVIC-19, under his chairmanship
The items included sets of ‘OK’ motorized spraying machines to fumigate markets in the state, cartons of hand sanitizers, face masks, mattresses, hand gloves and many more for the fight against the current COVID-19 plague
Alabi however said the border closure excludes all categories of movement sanctioned in the broadcast of President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that the partial shutdowns within the state remains in force until further notice.
He said, “The government hereby announces the shutting down of all our land borders to ban movement to the state from elsewhere.
“The only exemptions to this rule are those stated in the address of Mr President. Specifically, these are vehicles carrying agricultural produce, medical equipments, and officials on essential duties related to COVID-19 campaign.
“All previous restrictions and exemptions locally remain in force. A specific warning here goes to commercial motorcyclists (Okada) who have been violating the shutdown orders. Any violators caught would face the full consequences of the law.”
