The Edo State Government has intensified efforts at creating awareness against the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the sensitization on the importance of the use of facemasks to contain the pandemic to markets, motor parks, eateries and other public places across the state.
Leading the team on the sensitization, the coordinator of Public Work Volunteer Scheme (PUWOV), Edo State, Mukhtar Yusuf-Osagie said the increased awareness creation was yielding positive results as drivers, passengers, traders, and other residents across the state were already complying with government’s directive on the compulsory use of facemasks.
The traders have also been moved to designated public schools to allow for the fumigation of the markets and other public places, in compliance with the state government’s directive.
The team monitored the compliance in the state as they visited Mission Road, Airport Road, Etete Road, Ihama Road, Adesuwa Motor Park, Ogbe Primary School and Emokpae Model Primary School in Benin City.
At Emokpae Model Primary School and Ogbe Primary School, where the traders are sensitized on the importance of wearing facemasks, some traders who failed to comply were advised to wear the facemasks so they could be protected while trading.
At Ogbe Primary School, Yusuf-Osagie also confirmed compliance with the government’s directives, including social distancing, use of facemasks, among others.
At Sapele Road, a bus driver who disobeyed the government’s directive on the number of passengers per trip was arrested by the team and the passengers were all asked to disembark from the bus.
On their part, Mrs. Nosa Osatohanwen and Mary Ezea, both traders, commended the Edo State Government on the measures taken so far to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the State, appealing to government to extend the trading period in the schools from 8 am to 5 pm to enable them to sell more.
