The Yobe State governor, Mai Mala-Buni, and his deputy, Idi Barde-Gubana, have donated fifty percent of their basic salaries to the COVID-19 Support Fund in the state.
The state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture and COVID-19 Resource Mobilization Sub-Committee Secretary, Abdullahi Bego, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.
According to him, the donation was part of the government measures adopted to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus in the state.
Mr Bego noted that the donations would help accelerate the all-hands-on-deck effort that is vital to dealing with the coronavirus pandemic.
“Following in the example of His Excellency the governor, members of the State Executive Council, the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Service and the Chief of Staff to the governor are also donating 50 percent of their basic salaries to the Fund.
“The Yobe COVID-19 Sub-Committee on Resource Mobilization under the leadership of the Hon. Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr Abubakar Garba Iliya also wishes to announce that all permanent secretaries will donate 50 percent of their basic salaries.
“Others include chief executive of boards and parastatals, permanent members of Commissions, including the Local Government Service Commission, House of Assembly Service Commission, Judicial Service Commission, Teaching Service Board, Science and Technical Schools Board.
“State Independent Electoral Commission, Fiscal Responsibility Board, Arabic and Islamic Education Board, Bureau For Public Procurement, Civil Service Commission, and the Pilgrims Welfare Commission, as well as the Directors of Personnel Management (DPMs) who are currently in charge of the 17 local government councils will also donate 50 percent of their basic salaries to the effort to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak in the state,” the statement disclosed.
Mr Bego further disclosed that the State Assembly Speaker, Ahmed Mirwa, his deputy, Mohammed Auwal Isa and 22 other members of the House had donated 50 percent of their basic salaries.
“The State’s judiciary is also chipping in with the Chief Judge and Grand Khadi making available 50 percent of their basic salaries to the effort to convert COVID-19,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Yobe COVID-19 Prevention and Control Committee under the leadership of the Deputy Governor called on the populace of the state to support the state’s effort in combating the pandemic.
The statement also appealed to members of the business communities, organisations, and philanthropists to do their part by donating to the Yobe COVID-19 Support Fund through the Yobe State COVID-19 Support Account; 1022751510, Bank UBA.
The committee also appealed to people across the state to continue exercising social distancing, excellent respiratory etiquette, and other safety measures put forward by the National Centre for Disease Control, NCDC.
