In
what could be described as “putting aside political differences” for
the progress of Plateau State, members of the National Assembly Caucus
from the State were at the Government House, Rayfield in Jos to present
their donation to Governor Simon Bako Lalong towards the fight against
COVID-19.
The delegation which was led by the
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Idris Maje, donated an
undisclosed sum of money to the Plateau State COVID-19 Trust Fund so as
to assist Government deal with the pandemic.
The
Deputy Speaker said the donation was in appreciation of the measures
taken by the State Government so far in dealing with the pandemic
through several measures.
He said “We have noted
with delight some of the major steps you have taken to curtail the
disease especially by restricting movements which has done a lot to
limit the spread of the pandemic. We have seen you deploy technology in
the borders to enforce the movement of people which largely limited
importation of the disease”.
They asked the
Governor to continue his initiatives which are aimed at saving the lives
of the people and making sure Corona virus is defeated in Plateau
State.
Governor Lalong who expressed appreciation
for the gesture of the National Assembly Plateau Caucus said the
donation again shows their patriotism and unity towards the progress of
Plateau State.
Lalong said “Your presence here is a
show of unity and solidarity for the good of our people. I have keenly
followed what you have been doing individually for your constituents and
other vulnerable people in the State. Nevertheless, you have deemed it
necessary to contribute to the State COVID-19 Trust Fund. We are very
grateful”.
He used the opportunity to also commend
them for putting the interest of Plateau State high on the agenda of the
National Assembly which has attracted a lot of goodwill from the
Federal Government to the State. He also appreciated them for supporting
President Muhammadu Buhari by passing quality legislations for the
development of the country.
Lalong also used the
opportunity to speak on the profiling and transfer of Almajiri children
to their States of origin where he explained that the decision was taken
by the entire Northern Governors in order to protect the children who
were abandoned and became at risk of contacting COVID-19 and even
spreading it.
He said “Although many are trying to
politicise the matter, I can assure you that it is the best decision we
have taken in the interest of these Almajiri children who for years have
been suffering and left at the mercy of the streets. You will recall
that the President’s wife, Her Excellency Aisha Buhari convened a summit
at the Villa which was attended by the President, Sultan, Governors
from the North and religious leaders. The decision was to stop the
Almajiri system completely and we believe that we have the best chance
to do so in order to improve the lives of these children and give them
proper education and care”.
The Governor therefore
appealed to the legislators to continue to support the Government in
ensuring that the program succeeds despite the misinformation and
improper tagging of economic migrants to the other parts of the country
as “Almajiris” which he described as most unfortunate and improper.
The
Governor in company of the National Assembly members later took
possession of an ambulance, 2 ventilators, 10,000 surgical masks and
other accessories donated to the State by NNPC/IPPG initiative.
