Sokoto Assembly suspends activities

• Borno postpones court sittings, LG poll
• IPMAN assures of adequate fuel supply

Sokoto State House of Assembly has suspended all legislative activities till April 21, as part of measures to curtail the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in the state.

This followed a motion by House Leader, Alhaji Bello Ambarura (APC-Illela) and seconded by Alhaji Mahmud Abdullahi (PDP- Kware) at yesterday’s plenary.

“This Assembly is not unaware of the proactive measure the government is taking against the virus that includes the closure of public and private schools; hence the need for the Assembly to complement government’s efforts in this regard by suspending its plenary and other legislative activities for the meantime.

“Therefore, be it resolved by this Assembly to suspend its sitting and other activities from March 26 to April 21 to complement government’s effort towards curtailing the possible spread of COVID-19 in the state,” he said.

The members unanimously adopted the motion when the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Achida, put it to voice vote.

Similarly, the Borno State Chief Judge, Justice Kashim Zannah, and State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) chairman, Abdu Usman, have suspended courts sittings and council elections until April 13, 2020.

According to Zannah, the suspension was for staff and judges to observe recommended distance to prevent COVID-19 that has claimed over 17,000 lives.

Zannah stated yesterday in Maiduguri that judicial staff, including judges, were to ‘distance and desist’ from crowding space, including their offices.

He noted that the Vacation Judge of High Court, the Chief Magistrates Court 1 and Upper Sharia Court 1 should be open.

Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Kano State chapter, has assured the people of adequate supply and distribution of petroleum products, as the country battles COVID-19.

The chairman of IPMAN in Kano, Alhaji Bashir Danmallam, gave the assurance shortly after the chapter’s emergency meeting in Kano yesterday.

Danmallam said the association was duty-bound to rise to the occasion and contribute its quota in the fight against the pandemic.

“In consideration of the pivotal role petroleum products play in the economy, IPMAN, as an essential service provider, will keep all its outlets open for business.

“This is to lessen the impact of the restrictions placed on people and businesses,” he said.

Urging government to continue to open all access to petroleum products for lifting to marketers, he added: “Members are also urged to adhere strictly to the advice and directives of health officials from the federal and state ministries of health, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and local health officials.

“Our members, and indeed the public, should pay attention to personal hygiene, ensure a safe social distance, always wear face masks and hand gloves as well as wash hands with soap and apply sanitisers.”