Dusk To Dawn Curfew In Delta Is To Shutdown Night Life, Other Activities - Gov Okowa's EAC.

The dusk to dawn curfew imposed on citizens in Delta State, has been described as one of the best steps taken by the governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, to fight against the spread of Corona Virus across the the three senatorial districts. Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Communications, Dr (Barrister) Fred Oghenesivbe, made the assertion at Crown FM Radio public affairs programme aired live in Ababa, on Wednesday 15th April, 2020. Oghenesivbe said the state governor deemed it necessity, and for the safety of all Deltans; to completely shutdown night life throughout the state, to avoid secret gatherings at night for any reason or purpose, adding that there were reports of illegal assemblage of fun seekers who tacitly violated the social distancing Covid-19 preventive measures. He disclosed that in order to ensure total compliance with the stay at home executive order, and to reduce the number of arrests and prosecutions, government took further result oriented step to impose the dusk to down curfew, pointing out that small brothels, beer parlours, entertainment joints of any kind, other form of commercial and social activities remained closed and not allowed to operate during the day and at night for another two weeks. "The curfew is to prohibit movement of persons and reenforce total shutdown of commercial activities from 7pm to 7am with effect from Wednesday 15th April, 2020, for another two weeks, to further prevent the spread of Covid-19 which is currently ravaging the world. "Specifically, it is meant to abolish night life and movement of persons and confine people to their homes, so as to avoid the temptation of illegal social gathering in local beer parlour joints and other hidden or obscure places. This is to further ensure total compliance to social distancing and state Lockdown. "His Excellency the governor directed the Commissioner of Police in the State, to enforce the dusk to dawn curfew. Some categories of professionals rendering essential services are exempted and these include; law enforcement personnel on duty, doctors and nurses on duty, Journalists on duty and they must carry their official identification cards which must be made available to security personnel on duty upon demand. "Violators of the stay at home order and the dusk to down curfew shall be apprehended, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with relevant laws in any court of competent jurisdiction which include; mobile courts constituted by Chief Magistrate Courts across the three senatorial districts in the state," Oghenesivbe disclosed. And on the harsh economic consequences of the stay at home order, on citizens and the government, Gov Okowa's EA Communications said it is better to be in good health and be broke financially for a short period of time than for citizens to go about their legitimate commercial activities and be ravaged by Corona Virus pandemic. He posited that health is an integral part of wealth, adding that a healthy workforce will always be a wealth creating team; which is why Okowa administration will continue to pay priority attention to the health, safety and wellbeing of all Deltans. "Government is also affected by the Lockdown in terms of revenue generation, just the same way Deltans are temporarily loosing substantial financial gains for staying at home this period. "The stay at home order and the dusk to dawn curfew came to be as a result of prevailing circumstances on the part of government to keep our people healthy, and to prevent Covid-19 pandemic from ravaging our state, as can be seen from the highly devastating negative effects of the virus in Italy, China, United States of America and other countries around the globe. "The bitter truth is that those who are against the lockdown, and dusk to dawn curfew do not want to contract corona virus and die in the process. It is also the wish of the government and the governor for Deltans to be in good health always. Therefore the governor's well reasoned decision to extend the lockdown deserve commendation. "Good governance in constitutional democracy is anchored on people oriented policies, programmes and landmark achievements. Majority of Deltans are in support of government actions and inactions as regard the fight against Covid-19 pandemic, and government is encouraged by the huge support from our people across the 25 local government areas in the state. "The state food bank will soon commence full scale distribution and sharing of foodstuffs and other items as palliatives across the state to cushion the effects of the stay at home order. "Governor Okowa ordered that distribution of palliatives should be via federal ward channels to ensure that the foodstuffs get to the aged, unemployed youth, unskilled labourers, those who depend solely on daily income and weekly waves. It will not be based on membership of political parties because hunger does not discriminate against persons. "We are a praying stat. Deltans are lucky to have a governor who is totally committed to the things of God. It is a big advantage to us as a people and I am standing on the Rock of Christ, to say that we shall survive this period together as Deltans, and at the end God will take all the Glory," Oghenesivbe assured.