My dear good People of the State of Osun, in order to ensure a total defeat of Coronavirus in our State, we've decided to extend the ongoing lockdown by another 14 days which will commence midnight of Thursday, April 16, 2020.
However, to allow our people to re-stock, the lockdown is suspended between Wed. 15th & Thurs. 16th April. All markets & land boundaries remain closed during the suspension of the lockdown & the lockdown period. Also, the ban on all public gatherings remains in force.
No doubt, we've all sacrificed to get us where we are. However, the circumstances of our situation do not support the suspension of the lockdown at this period. The application & implications of half measures are dangerous & grave at this critical period.
The decision to impose the initial lockdown on the State was a painful one, but its outcomes have proven that we took the best decision as no new case was recorded during the two-week lockdown period. All thanks to your cooperation & support.
We're aware of the negative effects of the lockdown on our fragile economy. But as a responsible govt., we'll not sacrifice the lives & security of our people on the altar of economy.
The experience of the last few months is not one we would wish to repeat but it is better for us to deal with this deadly enemy once &for all.To cushion the effects of the lockdown, we shall continue to provide palliatives to the needy &vulnerable in the State.
To this end, we'll soon begin the distribution of another tranche of relief materials across the State.I've also ordered immediate payment of stipends due to 25,907 vulnerable citizens.
This covers payment of N20,000 each to 15,289 elderly citizens & people living with disabilities under our Special Grant Transfer (SGT) scheme & N7,500 stipend to 10,618 youths under the Public Work Fare (PWF) programme.
Let me take this opportunity to remind us all that the laws guiding the operation of this lockdown & the general security of the people are in force & relevant security agencies are on alert to ensure total compliance & guarantee the safety & security of the people.
Like I noted during one of my press briefings, we must see 'coronavirus as our common enemy; it poses a threat to our lives &livelihood. We put ourselves, our families &livelihood in jeopardy when we pander to ignorance& play politics with a life-snuffing virus.'
While we are making progress, a lot will still depend on our collective cooperation and compliance.
I thank you once again for your sacrifice and compliance. I count on our collective resolve to win this war against our common enemy, COVID-19.
I thank you once again for your sacrifice and compliance. I count on our collective resolve to win this war against our common enemy, COVID-19.
May God accept our sacrifice as we all resolve to heal and keep our land safe. Thank you and God bless.
