Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde today shed light on the activities of the state government in the effort to combat coronavirus in the state.
The Governor also cleared the air on the 1,800 bags of rice received by the state through the Nigeria Custom Services, saying that they were not fit for human consumption.
In a telephone Interview with Mayor Isaac Brown on Fresh FM 105.9, explained the rationale behind the state government’s decision to open up the secretariat for certain categories of civil servants to resume work despite the fact that the spread of coronavirus has not abated.
The following is the conversation:
Q: Sir, few days ago, as Coronavirus is ravaging the world, you made some far-reaching decisions. You asked senior cadre workers from level 13 upwards to resume work. Critics have wondered that despite two fatalities recorded, eight active cases, 21 cases in all including the three new cases, the state has just been able to test 610 person out of 7.6 million for the virus. Critics hold that it is reckless and dangerous to ask workers to resume considering the critical health situation pose by coronavirus. What is your reactions to this position?
A: Well, Isaac, you know we have to strike a balance between two things; the physical health of the people of Oyo State and the economic health of the state. The Oyo State economy, for now, is highly dependent on the secretariat functioning. This is a civil servant state. So, that is why we have asked just a few workers to resume to keep the secretariat functional. We also put protocols in place to ensure that they can work safely. The normal population for the secretariat is between 15 and 20,000 workers but now, we asked only 3,000 of them to resume and those 3,000 are the ones with separate offices. I was reading in the Tribune this morning, comments by my very good friend, Professor Adeolu Akande saying maybe we shouldn’t open up the secretariat and that the senior cadre of workers may not be able to function without the junior ones. I have not spoken to him. I will later today. The bottom line is we paid staff salaries on the 24th, that was Friday. Those payments were processed by some people. So, they had gone to the office to ensure that the vouchers were prepared and approved on time. So, you have to keep the economy going and also, strike a balance between the economic health and the physical health of the people. From this perspective, my decision to ask some workers to go back to work is not reckless. This is based on us engaging with the experts.
Q: The workers you asked to resume who are expected to carry out their official transactions through virtual communication are not computer savvy and they are very poor in online communication. They rely on junior workers when it comes to internet operation. How do you respond to this?
A: Well, let me make a correction. I did not say that the civil servants who will resume will conduct business online. No, I said meetings will be held online. The senior officers will have to manage without their junior colleagues. That is part of the sacrifices that we all need to make at this time.
Q: Is it true that the senior staff of Oyo State owned tertiary institutions have also been asked to resume work despite the fact that schools in the state are still closed?
A: Well, I will talk to the Commissioner for Education, they cannot resume right now because the students are at home.
Q: How do you control movement in the secretariat?
A: Well, we put certain protocols in place for workers coming into the secretariat. Only the main gate will be used for entrance and exit. The other gates will remain locked and because we are having very limited number of staff resuming, we don’t think it will be a herculean task.
Q: What about visitors coming in to see them?
A: Visitors will be allowed only where it is absolutely necessary. If you don’t have any serious thing to do at the secretariat, we don’t expect you to come and if you do, the protocol is that they will need to contact whoever you are going to see and it is only those people that can clear you. We are very confident about the measures we have out in place and we are sure that this will work. I received a text message this morning from the CAN President and I said we will discuss this issue much later today because some of the things we have put in place, people haven’t seen it but we will keep the enlightenment going so that we can all get aligned in the same direction.
Q: In USA, there are stipulated conditions for any states to resume business activities. Among them is that such a state must scientifically ascertain that it has not only reached the peak of infections but also, a 14-day downward trajectory in new cases and symptoms. Will you say that Oyo State has reached the peak of Oyo Covid-19 infections based on the fact that we just tested 610 people? Can we even be talking about a curve not to talk of a 14-day downward trajectory where hospitalisation/incubation cases must be coming down? Do you think that these conditions have been met?
A: Well, I will leave the technical details to the experts, but be assured that our decisions are based on expert advice. I mean, don’t forget that the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force is made of several professors – epidemiologists, virologists and people with background in public health. So, as I have often said, we have to find a local solution to our problems. We can’t keep saying making reference – this is United States of America… how about other parts of the world? We have to compare notes – what people have done right. America shouldn’t just be made the reference point because there are other places round the world that are doing far better than America right now. So, we should only borrow things that will work for us and that can come from any corner of the world. It can come from as near as Ghana. Ghana has just lifted their lockdown; they are moving on with their lives.
Q: If the state has only tested 610 out of the 10,000 projection, is it logical to ask the workers to resume to work?
A: We will keep on testing. Cautiously, we are going out to say let this category of people resume. Let the markets resume with certain conditions. Let the farmers take advantage of this planting season. Once I am done now, I am going to Akufo to see what is being done at the farm settlement out there. We need to know that this will be with us for some time.
Q: As at now, what is the state of coronavirus in the state?
A: I have to use this opportunity to thank the members of the Task Force because they are using their time to serve the people of Oyo State with no compensation at all up until this moment. What we are seeing is almost person to person transmission.
Q: Are you not worried about the attitudes of people toward covid-19 more importantly those that their samples have been collected and asked to go on self-isolation pending the time their result will come out but they are busy going from one place to the other?
A: Well, I don’t think we need to change that protocol. I think the way things are set up right now… When you are actually between the rock and the hard place, you have to move cautiously. We don’t have the resources to say look if you have been exposed to a Covid-19 positive patient, then we should take you and slam you in an isolation centre. For instance, I tested positive and all my close associates, the closest people to me, they were all tested. And out of the tests, only one came out positive. So, if we had taken all of them to some isolation place, are you not breeding cross infection? And again, I read this on the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Lagos said well, we went in there and took hotels with individual rooms. You know for us in Oyo State, we don’t have those resources so we have to ensure that we properly plan our resources.
Q: Are you looking into having more isolation and testing centres outside Ibadan? What of suggestion about the virology unit in LAUTECH College of Science being upgraded?
A: I got a message from, maybe the Nigerian Medical Association, LAUTECH chapter. Covid-19 is not something that is tied to zones or geographical spread. When this whole thing first broke in Nigeria, the protocol was that anybody from anywhere in the South West should be taken to Lagos, right? Because that was the only place with an isolation centre at that time. But between then and now, several states have gotten their own isolation centres. They’ve also been able to put in place, diagnostic centres and things like that. So, you can’t just say because Ogbomoso is two hours from Ibadan… you can take samples out there and bring people to the Infectious Disease Centre at Ibadan. We do have an isolation centre that they are working on now at Ogbomoso. We are going to have one at Saki and one at Igbo-Ora as well. You know but you are faced with a pandemic and you also have the economic challenge. So, one must take the most efficient way to tackle the problem.
Q: Will you say that the health workers who are at the front line of fighting the virus are fully protected knowing fully well that we are getting a spike in infection of some of them?
A: I will use this opportunity to really thank our front-line health workers, they are doing very well. We don’t have all the PPEs that they require. It’s just the fact. But the ones that we have, we are distributing them efficiently and we are also having discussions regarding how we can make these things locally. So, my Special Adviser on Health, Dr Funmi Salami is doing a research right now. There are places around the world where they have these reusable PPEs and once we get those details, we can get few of our people together to see how this can be manufactured locally. This is going to be one of the benefits from this pandemic. you know, you need to look inward, try to develop your local capability and so, that is one of the things we are looking at as far as PPEs for our front-line health workers are concerned.
Q: What about welfare?
A: I just approved a package for them; both the volunteers and people that are being seconded.
Q: Recently, you said you were open to the possibility of walling off any community in Oyo State where there is noticeable consistent outbreak of new cases. It appears majority of those covid-19 cases in the state are in Ibadan, particularly from Ibadan North and UCH. Is walling off Ibadan as a city on your table?
A: Yes. The three additional cases that came up and the fatality that was observed in the past 24 hours, all are from UCH. I discussed with the CMD of UCH. Yes, I felt that they have been a little bit defensive but they don’t manufacture those people. I mean UCH is a tertiary hospital so people will come from all sorts of places to come in there first. The fact still remains that almost 50 per cent now of the cases in Oyo State, can be directly linked to UCH. And we are looking at what can be done to address the problem.
Q: There is a lot of talk that there are misunderstandings between the state government and UCH. Where does things stand now with smoothing of edges?
A: Our people will always say that you can’t be friends for 25 years without friction. The question is not whether there is friction but whether it is resolved. So, we have friction, we look at things from different angles and then from the [Federal] Ministry of Health, they have sent a letter to the medical arm of tertiary institutions to work with state governments in addressing this pandemic. So, apart from us reaching out to UCH management, we are asking them to bring somebody that will represent the management in the Covid-19 Task Force in Oyo State. We are also asking them to work with our Commissioner for Health to set up an accreditation team towards the accreditation of isolation and treatment centres.
Q: So, the line of communication with UCH is fantastic now?
A: Well, it may not be fantastic but at least, it is open and we are being brutally frank with ourselves.
Q: Your quarantine guidelines are being violated with impunity. In Ojoo, Bodija or Dugbe, non-essential businesses are functioning. Commercial transporters are carrying overload. Even the curfew of 7 pm, in some couple of areas, there is no adherence. What are you doing towards ensuring your quarantine guidelines are strictly adhered to?
A: Well, we noticed some of these things that you mentioned and our enlightenment has to be deepened. That is, letting people know that we are asking them to do these things for themselves and others around them. We don’t want to keep losing people. We don’t want more lives to be lost. So, we have to keep engaging the people. When compliance is voluntary, then we are all actually better off and the only way compliance will become largely voluntary is when people are enlightened, when they are educated. When they know precisely what they are supposed to be doing to protect themselves, protect their families and protect the rest of us. It is not about getting the security personnel out their to enforce the restriction of movement, it is about people understand that the guidelines are for their good. Unfortunately, We don’t have enough hands within this security agencies to enforce compliance. So, what we have to do is keep appealing to the people. We also want to use technology. Anyone that has been asked to self-isolate, they will be monitored. Of course, there are legal challenges out there which have to be surmounted as well. But we are exploring every avenue to ensure that our people are not put at risk.
Q: The fact that you are a survivor from this virus, you have called for local approach at finding lasting solution for combating Covid-19 by looking inwards at natural remedies which are peculiar to us here. Is there any progress along that line?
A: Yes, we have been making progress. A team at the University of Ibadan have written to us. We have had the first engagement meeting with them. Certain things we know have worked so far. Among them is wash your hands as many times as possible. You don’t need anyone to push you to be able to do that. We had the discussed with the team. And for me, I saw a lot of difference when I actually started taking those immune boosters like black seed oil and carrots. I understand carrots also have carotene. And the black seed oil has zinc. I’ve been reading… Of course, when you are in this situation, everybody will turn to be a research scholar. So, we do a lot of research also and they said that zinc, if it goes into the cell, it actually prevents the virus from entering the cell. So, there are all kinds of things out there but the experts, you know the professors of virology, the professors of epidemiology, they all put it together to make sense out of all the information we have out there.
Q: So, you are open to home-grown solution?
A: What I can say really is that we can find solution here. It is not necessary that solution come from America or the west.
Q: When are you starting the distribution of the palliatives?
A: Well, the distribution will commence this week. And the distribution will be done simultaneously in all local government areas in the state until all 120,000 households which we identified have received their palliatives. Yesterday, I, personally called some of the people myself because I wanted to confirm if there is any kind of colouration to the data. I started from Saki East/ Saki West and Afijio Federal Constituency and then I moved to Olorunsogo/Irepo and Oorelope Federal Constituency. In terms of the 14 Federal Constituencies, I have an idea of the people we are distributing palliatives to. About 40 per cent of the people I spoke to were farmers. And they told me, yes, it’s good for you to send us these palliatives but the real palliatives that we want you to send to us is to help us get to the farm. Assist us in clearing our land and then we are ready to go out there. So, there will be a second set of palliatives designed and targeted towards the farmers and thus, boosting our economy. So, those palliatives will go out this week.
Q: Will there be restrictions during the distribution of the palliatives?
A: No, there won’t be. I believe that our people will be orderly and we will do it in such a way that the targeted people will receive their palliatives.
Q: It is believe that the lockdown has made everyone poor and so people are saying that the palliatives should go round. What do you think to this?
A: Well, last Friday, we paid N11 Billion as workers salary for state workers, local government workers, teachers… everybody. Will you consider them as poor? Will you consider those that have received their salaries as the people needing palliatives?
Q: Absolutely not?
A: Exactly. So, I wish the government could give everyone in need something but that is just not possible. What we did is we identified 90,000 households as the poorest of the poor and we added another 30,000 households as vulnerable. And of course, what we are doing by trying to open up the economy is for those who can earn a living to be able to go out in a safe manner to earn a living.
Q: Your government has been criticised for rejecting the Federal Government 1,800 bags of rice given to you by Customs. Will you make clarification on where things stand regarding the rice?
A: Well, you know, as I said earlier, we are distributing palliatives this week and our plan had been to include the rice which we received from the Federal Government through the Nigeria Customs Service as part of the palliatives to be distributed. Of course, we check everything we receive before distribution. An examination of the rice showed that it was infested with weevils and unfit for human consumption. I mean it was only logical that we report this to the people of Oyo State. In fact, when we made this discovery, I called the Governor of Ekiti State, who is the Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, you know to find out if the problem exists in Ekiti or whether this was limited to our state and he confirmed to me that they had the same problem with the rice that they received. Even reading the papers this morning, I saw that the Ondo State Government also stated that they had a similar problem and they will be returning theirs also. So, since we are not distributing the rice, we have to return it to them. I won’t spend Oyo State money to get rid of rice given by Customs. So, they should find the means to destroy it by themselves. They seized it in the first instance. So, I really don’t get the criticism. Those criticising us, are they saying we should precipitate another problem in Oyo State by giving people rice that is not fit for consumption?
Q: At this period, crime rate has increased and people have turned themselves into vigilante groups to protect themselves and their family members from hoodlums disturbing the peace the state is known for. What is your government doing to put an end to criminal activities that are on the rise?
A: Well, security is one of the four pillars of our administration and we have continuously dedicated resources to this sector. We continue to work closely with the security agencies in the state to ensure that our people enjoy relative peace. One of the complaints we have received from the security agencies is false alarm regarding distress calls. I really won’t want to point fingers but most calls placed through our dedicated emergency toll-free number, 615 turn out to be false alarms or frivolous. The danger is that the security people are then unable to reach those who really need their help. For the past two days now, I have gone out at 12 midnight, 1am to see what is going on with the security architecture. I was at Iwo Road the other day and all the folks were out. From yesterday, we’ve been able to get a vehicle to patrol that area. So, the only appeal I want to ask from our people is, please only call 615 in an emergency so that the security agencies can be more effective in executing their duties. People forwarded something to me. They said that right now, in front of my office on Iwo Road, there are robbers operating. Then the individual said that he or she has moved from that place and relocated to somewhere along college crescent. And the individual also said he or she is a corp member, So, you are now wondering how possible it is for a corp member to leave Iwo Road because of armed robbers and he or she has now relocated to college crescent. So, I want to beg the opposition, this is not how to play politics of opposition. We want an economy that investors will have confidence in. It’s not by spreading false information that will bring you out as playing opposition. They should state things the way they are. Governments will come and go. I will leave this position very soon and our state will remain. All efforts that we are making is to ensure that we have a state that is secure and prosperous.
Q: Will you still charge the security agencies to do more because incidents of crime especially at night during this period seem to be on the rise, sir?
A: Well, yes, we will keep pushing. And also, Amotekun will come on board. We are about getting the board to oversee Amotekun off the ground. So, once we are able to do that, they will also, complement the effort of the security agencies and when I go out at night and I go into those communities, part of the things I am looking at is how we are going to get vigilantes and people in those communities to key into the overall strategies of Amotekun.
Q: That’s a good one. I’m happy you were able to raise this issue of Amotekun.
Many organisations just like Fresh FM too we are all groaning under this pandemic. We hardly get adverts, we hardly get commercial. And information is so key at fighting this pandemic, we must continually, like you have said, educate out people. Are you also looking as a government, where you could possibly partner and assist the media especially during this period that we have to work to ensure that we jointly with government, defeat corona in our state?
A: Well, we as government cannot just think out everything. So, we are open to sitting down and with media organisations. You need to also put together your thoughts. You know, if you have a request and we are dealing with something on the table to say, you know, this is a request that has been tabled before us. I think that that is a better way to approach this. I can’t just manufacture something. I don’t know where the shoe pinches, you know. So, please make your request to us. Not just as Fresh FM but as media organisations coming together and then we have that discussion.
Q: Finally, what is your words for those that have made donations to fight covid-19?
A: Well, as at our last meeting, we’ve received cash donations of over N330 Million and gift donations close to N70-80 Million. I want to use this opportunity to thank the individuals and organisations that have come to the aid of Oyo State. I thank you very very much on behalf of the government and the people of the state.
Q: When are we expecting the distribution of masks?
A: Well, we’ve started at the secretariat today. I don’t have the numbers of the masks that have been given so far but as we get them, we will keep giving them out to the people.
Q: Your Excellency, thanks for speaking with us?
A: Well thank you so much too. and I should use this opportunity also to thank our people and to let them know that success in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 depends largely on personal responsibility. Even when the government enforces all measures, we cannot go into people’s homes to ensure personal hygiene. So, I want to appeal to our people to take responsibility and follow the directives of the Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force so that together, we can defeat Covid-19 in Oyo State.
