By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Federal lawmaker representing Bende Federal Constituency and the official spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon Benjamin Kalu has provided safety kits as well as palliatives for the members of his constituents as part of efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Hon Benjamin who advised his people not to despair in the face of the pandemic, however urged every indigene of Bende to comply strictly with all public health guidelines and to minimize all unnecessary movement until the virus is under control or eradicated.
He disclosed this on Saturday in a statement he personally signed and made available to Sundiata Post.
The statement reads:
Dear People of Bende, a few months ago, the world began to experience the ravaging effects of COVID-19, a new and highly contagious strain of Coronavirus which attacks the respiratory system of infected persons.
Unfortunately, this virus pandemic has now reached our shores with 89 confirmed cases in Nigeria as at the time of this release.
In order to curtail the spread of the virus, there is a need to comply with all protocols and guidelines issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as well the Federal and State Governments.
All indigenes of Bende Federal Constituency therefore are encouraged to observe the following basic precautions:
1. Wash your hands frequently
2. Avoid touching your eyes, mouth & nose
3. Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze
4. Avoid crowded places
5. Stay at home if you feel unwell even with a slight fever and cough
6. If you have a fever and difficulty breathing seek medical care early
7. Avoid self-medication
8. Practice social distancing.
As part of our way of supporting the efforts of the Federal Government as well as the Government of Abia State in combating the pandemic, I have set up the Bende Representative COVID-19 Task Force to operate with 3 emergency vehicles around the Constituency for the sensitization of our people and the provision of rapid response to any health emergencies.
I am also in partnership with the emergency response team at Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia as well as the MD of FMC Umuahia, Dr. Onyebuchi, to train select Bende healthcare personnel on World Health Organization (WHO) approved guidelines for preventing the spread of Coronavirus. These trainees will form the Bende Representative COVID-19 Emergency Health Corps.
The training shall commence on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 after which the Emergency Health Corps will be discharged, not only to sensitize people of Bende, but to manage the COVID-19 Special Desks in all 13 identified health centres in Bende Federal Constituency. A total of 30 health workers from Bende are currently being shortlisted for this training and will be paid by the Constituency Office.
Additionally, I have deployed thousands of relief supplies and hygiene materials through the Task Force for distribution around all communities in the constituency; they include; face masks, hand sanitizers, hand gloves, washing soaps, thermometers and various food items. Distribution of these items will begin immediately after the training next week.
In the face of this pandemic, I encourage all people of Bende not to despair, believing very strongly that this too shall pass. I urge every indigene of Bende to comply strictly with all public health guidelines and to minimize all unnecessary movement until the virus is under control or eradicated. I call on all my brothers and sisters not to see this unprecedented public health emergency as an avenue for politicking, but to seize the opportunity to reflect on our shared humanity and the importance of the social connection which we have often taken for granted.
I assure all the people of Bende Federal Constituency that I remain committed to the well-being of ndi Bende and trust that I can count on your unalloyed cooperation as we navigate through this trying time.
God bless the people of Bende Federal Constituency and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed REP. BENJAMIN OKEZIE KALU
