Following the recent outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in some West African countries and its consequent spread to the shores of Nigeria, the Bayelsa has concluded plans to sensitize its citizens about the threat of the virus.
The decision was one of the various resolutions deliberated on at the 42nd state executive council meeting at government house, Yenogoa, presided over by governor Seriake Dickson.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, commissioner of health Ayibantoye Owei states that the government has also warned its citizens against travelling to countries like Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone where the virus has struck the hardest.
Daily Times reports:
According to Dr. Owei, 1,094 cases have been reported in those countries out of which 660 people have reportedly died.
To this end, the Executive Council has given approval for a massive advocacy campaign in partnership with the World Health Organization.
Highlighting the symptoms of the disease to include fever, general body weakness, cough, catarrh and bleeding through the nose and other parts of the body, he said health officials would be trained on how to detect symptoms of the disease and how to manage it.
Describing the disease as highly contagious and incurable, he noted that the virus could be contracted through contacts with infected persons, animal products and dead bodies.
Consequently, Dr. Owei advised the people of the State to observe simple hygiene rules, such as regular washing of the hands to avoid transmission of any kind of disease.
Also in his remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Deacon Markson Fefegha said, council adopted the 2015 to 2017 mid term expenditure framework, which has been presented to the House of Assembly.
He also noted that, council deliberated on the need for commissioners and their permanent secretaries to work harmoniously towards the implementation of the government’s policies and programmes as well as the imperative to strengthen the civil service through training.
Deacon Fefegha said, the apex decision making body in the State also resolved to provide housing for permanent secretaries and directors as well as low cost housing for other categories of civil servants.
Also speaking, the Head of Service, Sir Frazier Okuoru said, areas of friction between commissioners and permanent secretaries was being addressed with a decision to organize a retreat for permanent secretaries.
In his contribution, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government Administration, Evangelist Ayibatonye Agba said, councildirected permanent secretaries and their immediate subordinates to supervise the clock in-Clock out system to instill discipline in the service.
