By Eseoghene Emuke
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State has been commended for his proactive measures aimed at tackling the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
Urhobo Youth Leaders Association (UYLA), an umbrella body of youth leaders drawn from the various kingdoms of Urhobo ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta region, said Okowa’s timely intervention has help to curb the spread of the virus.
Delta has recorded three confirmed cases of Coronavirus since its outbreak in the country with one of them dead.
The group in a statement signed by its President, Chief Godwin Okporoko, and Secretary, Chief Tony Ofony, urged Urhobo people in the state to comply with the stay-at-home directive of the governor.
The statement made available to NIGER DELTA TODAY Online on Saturday also pledged to government efforts at tackling the spread of the disease in the state.
The statement said, “We are Calling on Deltans, particularly the Urhobos, to observe the directives of the Governor to: sit at home, always Wash your hands, use sanitizers and Keep social distance at all times. The Covid 19 disease is real, we must all be conscious of it.
“It is regrettable that the two of three cases in Delta are in the Warri Area. It is unfortunate though, that one of the victims died shortly after. May his soul rest in peace.”
The group, however, expressed what it described as “discriminatory” manner the federal government was sharing government’s palliative to cushion the effects of the stay-at-home order.
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“We at UYLA condemn in its entirety, the Federal Government’s discriminatory manner of allocating more of the palliative money to the North to the detriment of the Niger Delta States that contribute 90% of the country’s revenue.
“We further urge every Urhobo sons and daughters to maintain the sit-at-home order to avoid the spread of the disease and possibly contracting it”, it added.
