The Rivers State government says it is committed to the fight against Coronavirus as schools in the state reopen 5th October.
This is as it distributed non-pharmaceutical and safety materials to 500 public secondary schools in the state.
Addressing Principals during the distribution, State Commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku, said the government of Rivers State is concerned about the safety of students as schools reopen.
He said distribution of the materials ahead of schools reopening was part of governments efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
Professor Ebeku urged the principals to ensure proper use of the items distributed, warning that schools that contravene the Covid-19 guidelines will be sanctioned.
He said;
“The Distribution of Covid-19 non-pharmacetical and sanitary materials demonstrates the commitment of His Excellency to the fight against Covid-19.”
He noted that;
“We are looking forward eargely for students to return to schools on monday and my candid advice to all of them is to ensure full compliance with Covid-19 protocols.”
Professor Ebeku said;
“If any head of school do not enforce Covid-19 protocols as enacted and as explained to them, the consequences will be disastrous for such a person because the person seeks to compromise the health of the society and to flout the directives of the state and that cannot be condoned.”
Also speaking, Chairman of the 7-Man EXCO Taskforce for the Enforcement of Covid-19 Protocols in schools, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, advised the Principals to enforce compliance of all directives in their various schools.
He said;
“We have all agreed the schools will be reopened. Some of us that will be going to your school is just to confirm whether certain things that will come from government is in place. Please whatever that is made available, use them and go back to tour schools and ensure that the students comply with all the protocols.”
He added;
“Let us ensure that continuously this crusade is carried out so that our people will know. Once you are protected and your brother is protected, it cannot spread.”