Local Yenagoa news, Nigeria
Bayelsa records more coronavirus deaths, 11 new infections
Bayelsa has recorded one additional COVID-19 related death and 11 new infections as announced by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
Dr Jones Stowe, the Director of Public Health and member of state COVID-19 Task Force who gave the update in a statement on Monday in Yenagoa, said the new death brought the total number of deaths in the state to 16.
Stowe said with the 11 new cases, Bayelsa now has a total of 245 confirmed infections of the disease.
“We have one new death, making 16 death cases in the state and 11 new cases on Sunday.
“Four new persons were discharged, total discharged stood at 127; so, now, Bayelsa had 102 active cases in isolation centres.
“People should continue to adhere strictly to the recommended public health advisories to reduce the transmission of COVID- 19.
“Maintain regular washing of hand with soap and water and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Use your facemask, avoid hand shake and crowd;
“Endeavour to practice good respiratory hygiene: when sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth and nose with your sleeve at the flexed elbow or with a tissue. Then dispose-off the used tissue safely, immediately. stay safe, MaskUpBayelsa,” he urged.
Coronavirus spike sparks anxiety in Bayelsa
The spike in the number of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Bayelsa has heightened anxiety in the state.
Governor Douye Diri has expressed worry over the development, following the lifting of the ban on interstate travel.
The Acting Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as expressing deep concern over the fatality rate of 6.5% the state has recorded so far, which, according to him, is higher than the national average of 2.5%.
The governor directed that screening of persons at entry points into the state be intensified and ordered the COVID-19 task force to strictly enforce the directive.
Governor Diri, who expressed concern over the spike during the enlarged meeting and briefing of the state’s COVID-19 task force at the Government House, Yenagoa, restated the directive on the compulsory wearing of face masks in all public places, including markets, banks, motor parks, and houses of worship.
While noting that the nationwide presidential curfew directive from 10 pm to 4 am was still in force, he emphasised that the spike in COVID-19-related deaths has necessitated the adoption of stringent measures to secure the lives of its citizens from the pandemic.
The governor, highlighting the role of religious leaders in partnering with government toward creating awareness about the virus, lifted the ban on wedding ceremonies but directed that they be held only on Sundays.
He also directed the unsealing of a church that violated the COVID-19 protocols but called on church leaders not to misinterpret government’s intention in the ongoing fight against the virus.
Diri pointed out that while the government holds them in high esteem, church leaders must respect the biblical injunction advising them to respect those in authority.
The governor saluted the commitment and dedication of frontline health personnel in the state in the battle against the pandemic and promised to provide the necessary support and encouragement.
He directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health to furnish his office with the necessary documents for the purchase of bio-safety and other critical medical equipment for the commencement of COVID19 testing in the state.
His words: “Yenagoa has been declared as COVID-19 high risk area. But the state government will not fold its arms and allow our state capital to be locked down because of coronavirus. So everybody must take responsibility and come to terms that the virus does exist.”
Industrial Court Orders Reinstatement Of Demoted Federal University Lecturers In Bayelsa, Awards N20m Compensation
The Industrial Court sitting in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State, has ordered the reinstatement of four lecturers demoted by the Federal University of Otuoke in Ogbia Local Government Area.
Recall that in 2018 the institution downgraded Prof Steve Nwabuzor from the rank of a professor to Lecturer 1, Dr Felina Nwadike, Associate Professor to Senior Lecturer.
Others are Dr Sepribo Lawson-Jack, an Associate Professor to Lecturer I, and Dr Evans Eze from Associate Professor to Lecturer II.
Presiding judge, Justice Bashiru Alkali, ruled that the claimants be reinstated to their full status, privileges and entitlements by the institution.
Justice Alkali ruled that the university should pay each claimant N5m for defamation and N200,000 each for cost of litigation.
All the litigants were from the Diaspora, who returned to serve in the university.
PDP urges Supreme Court to dismiss Timi Alaibe’s case
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths have urged the Supreme Court to dismiss Timi Alaibe’s case before the apex court.
The PDP added that any contrary decision by the Supreme Court might ignite crisis in the region.
The PDP Youths, under the aegis of South South Youth Vanguard, said that they are aware that Alaibe has been making overture to the All Progressives Congress (APC) so that the apex court will favour him.
The PDP Youth Vanguard, in a statement by its National Chairman, James Efe Akpofure, disclosed that they are aware that Alaibe has been wooing, telling the leadership of the party that he will join the APC if he wins at the Supreme Court.
The group warned the APC not to ignite any avoidable crisis in the state over Bayelsa state governorship election that has already been concluded by the Supreme Court.
The PDP South South Youth Vanguard said that peace should be allowed to reign in the state, adding that APC shouldn’t aid and abet any crisis in the state.
The PDP youths said: “We understand that Timi Alaibe is looking for every mean possible to ensure that Supreme Court favors him.
“And we also understand that is why he’s wooing APC to influence the case before the apex court. We understand that is why he’s telling them that he will join the APC if he wins.
“We are sending this message to the APC government to ignore all the antice of Alaibe and let Bayelsa, the state that has been relatively peaceful to enjoy its peace.
“We are also urging the Supreme Court to dismiss the Alaibe case, so as to avoid crisis in the state.
Bayelsa records 27 new cases of coronavirus
Bayelsa has recorded 27 new cases of COVID-19, which increased the total number of confirmed cases to 155.
This was contained in a statement by Dr Inodu Nathaniel-Akpoku, Co-Chairman of the state COVID-19 task force on Sunday in Yenagoa.
“Let’s break the transmission of COVID-19 by adhering to recommended public health advisories.
“Wear facemask in public places maintain social distancing, wash your hands regularly take responsibility stay safe,” he said.
Court Orders PDP In Bayelsa To Pay N105m Arrears To Landlord Of Secretariat Complex
ABayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa, the capital, has ordered the Peoples Democratic Party in the state to pay N105m outstanding arrears of rent to landlord of its secretariat complex.
Delivering judgment on suit no:YNC/50/2019, on Thursday, Justice T. I. Cocodia, granted the landlord and former council chairman, Mr Chubby Walson's prayers that he is entitled to payment of rent from the PDP for the use of his six-storey building located along Alamieyeseigha Expressway, Yenagoa, as Corporate Secretariat complex of the PDP from August 2008 till date.
The judgment reads, "That the PDP should pay the landlord the sum of N85m being balance of unpaid rent from July 2010 to July 2018 for a six winged storey building used as corporate secretariat of the party in Bayelsa State."
Justice Cocodia also ordered the PDP to pay the due rent of N20m to the landlord to cover July 2018 to July 2019 if the matter transcends August 1, 2019.
In his reaction to the judgment, counsel to the landlord, Kelvin Ejelonu Esq, described the ruling as well deserved, adding that the claimant proved his case beyond reasonable doubt.
