COVID19: Hon. Laori decries lack of awareness in rural communities
Rt. Honourable Kwamoti Bitrus Laori, member representing Numan/Demsa/Lamurde Federal Constituency at the National Assembly has decried inadequate dissemination of information on the outbreak of novel COVID-19 also known as CoronaVirus in the rural communities.
He stated this in a speech while donating relief materials in his constituency, adding that Nigeria in particular has suffered huge economic losses as a result. While many are under going treatment in different parts of the country.
Hon. Laori also stated that there has been increase in its spread of the virus across continents and regions of the world, more are being infected due to ignorance and lack of information.
While commending the efforts of the Nigerian Government at all levels and wealthy citizens in curbing the spread of the virus and providing palliative for affected persons in health centers and in self-isolation across the nation, he said that there is the compelling need to improve the level of public awareness to curb the spread of the deadly virus, especially in rural communities.
“Another area of great concern is the gross inadequacy of health facilities and kits for testing and treatment of victims in rural communities.Thank God, Adamawa is not on the list of States with identified cases, I earnestly pray it stay so. As we continue to pray for quick recovery of those already infected in other states, the public need to access the right information from credible sources on ways to prevent the spread of the virus. As one of the elected Representatives of the people I felt duty bound to take lead in this campaign.
“While there are more awareness in urban areas it is not the case in rural communities due to difference in accessing information from internet-base-social media platforms and other electronic devices.The larger percent of my constituents live in rural communities, with no access to basic amenities such as roads, electricity, water and telecommunication, e.t.c which make them prone to either being uninformed or misinformed and this is the gap that should concern us.
“As believers in God Almighty, we hope that like other epidemics in the past COVID-19 would soon be a thing of the past but it behooves on us to do the needful. More than ever before, this is the time to unite and fight the virus that is currently threatening our lives, freedom and crippling our economy. We need to watch out for one another, report any suspected case and support the affected until they recover and this cannot be achieved without communication.
“As I advised recently on social media, I would continue to call on all concerned to observe the World Health Organization’s prescribed guidelines and best practices, respect all directives and restrictions issued by competent authorities to curb the spread of the virus.
“I wish to state that this is not the time to becareless or engage in fruitless ventures CoronaVirus is no respecter of age, tribe, religion, socialstatus, political party, race or region, and it is a deadly virus affecting everyone. At the moment, great leaders of the World across the globe who tested positive are being treated. Am yet to hear of any vaccine, so I encourage us to maintain social distancing, basic hygiene to stay alive and stop the spread of COVID19.
“In the mean time, I recommend the REETP therapy this season. Read any available information to gain knowledge; Eat & Exercise your body to remain healthy; Think positively about solution to identified problems and Pray God to bring the products of your thought to fruition to impact your life and humanity.
“In view of the gap identified in the fight to curb the spread of CoronaVirus I have engaged the service of community health and mass communication professionals based in rural communities to continue to raise awareness in their localities.I also hope thatvelites would volunteer to join in this campaign so that our brothers and sisters in rural communities stay safe and end the spread.
“As part of my modest effort to improve hygiene and sanitation in rural communities I have made available some improvised hand washing system, soap, detergents and jik with sensitization fliers to create awareness as well as improve sanitation and hygiene for distribution to all the State Development Area in my Constituency. Thank you and May God keep us safe as we observe basic rules and practices to bring an end to the spread of COVID in Nigeria”, the lawmaker stated.
