COVID-19: ‘‘LAGESC Operatives to remains at duty post’’ – Corps Marshal
Corps Marshal,(LAGESC), CP Gbemisola Akinpele (retd) ‘
By ,Adewusi Yinka
Following the various measures put in place to break the cycle of transmission of Coronavirus (COVID-19) by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu such as the closure of all open markets and stalls for seven days beginning from Thursday, March 26th and the earlier directives which mandates the State’s Civil Servants from Grade Level 1 to 12 to stay off offices for a period of 14 days as well as to embrace social distancing, the Agency has reiterated its readiness to ensure compliance of the directive to stem the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Corps Marshal, Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), CP Gbemisola Akinpele (retd) ‘‘the Agency is part of the essential service providers and enforcement team of the Lagos State Government and in the light of this, have directed all operatives to remain at their duty post to ensure that these directives are strictly adhered to, as it is aimed towards ensuring safety of lives against the coronavirus pandemic in the State.
In a statement released by the Head Public Affairs Unit of the Agenncy , Adebayo Kehinde ,the Corps Marshal implored all operators of non-food and non-medical stores/markets to close down their outlets as directed by the State Government from the 26th of March 2020, as the Agency along with other enforcement and security personnel will ensure strict compliance, being one of her statutory role.
She further admonished the market leaders to also scale up the advocacy on the need to maintaining environmental cleanliness around the markets and encourage personal hygiene among members and other market users by engaging in regular hand washing with soap and water as well as regular use of hand sanitisers, nose masks, and always consult the nearest hospital for any ailment to ensure that the spread of the virus is curtailed as our markets harbour influx of people, while LAGESC District Commanders have been mandated to sustain regular advocacy in our markets to ensure strict compliance on social distancing and other preventive measures as outlined by the State Government and other concerned Agencies.
Mrs Akinpelu also reiterated the need for all and sundry to adhere to the directives issued by the State Government which bans public gatherings that includes religious and social gatherings of not more than twenty (20) persons.
She therefore asserted that LAGESC officers will continue regular enforcement and monitoring on the social distancing to be adequately observed and ensure strict compliance to this important health tips across the State with highest levels of safety precautions.
The Corps Marshal finally admonished Lagosians in line with the directives of the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to embrace social distancing as well as stay at home and limit their contact with people as a means to curb the spread of the virus amongst our people.