A
one-time mayor of Kanifing Municipal Council, Kebba Jallow has suggested that
Gambia government, politicians and civil society organisations form a united
front in the fight against the global health threatening disease, coronavirus
in the country.
Since
the president’s announcement of a seven-day state of public health emergency
due to the virus and the National Assembly extension to forty-five days, a lot
of activities have since scaled down due to the threat the virus posed to
humanity.
Mr.
Jallow told this reporter that to fight the virus, government and stakeholders
must join hands in creating more awareness programmes about its dangers and
threat since many Gambians are still heedless to the threat it poses.
He
said no curable vaccine has been found yet for the virus, requiring for people
to strictly follow the precautionary measures ordained by the government and
the World Health Organization (WHO).
“I
believe that some people are taking advantage of their religious and
traditional beliefs by not taking COVID-19 pandemic seriously. The first
challenge is that one has to take it to himself by adhering strictly to the
basic rules, to minimize and control the spread of the virus.”
Mr.
Jallow said the government has the largest chunk of responsibility in this
crucial moment of the virus, which brought along with it economic crisis to
help the masses by reducing the tariffs and taxation on consumable items,
electricity, water, petroleum, and transport fares.
He
advised Gambians to put aside their past differences and join hands in the
fight against COVID-19 pandemic, calling for the president to create the habit
of facing the people with latest updates and development as the events unfold.
Pa
Lamin Jatta, former National Assembly Member for Kombo North said the virus is
a reality, condemning those people who cast doubt about its reality and existence.
He
said everyone must strictly follow the guidelines of the World Health
Organization to prevent the spread of the virus, saying some people have
already suffered significant economic loss in their businesses and others on
the verge of starvation.
Abdoulie
Fatty, chief executive officer of Amina’s Holding Company Ltd. said businesses
are severely hampered by the prevalence of COVID-19 pandemic, despite that they
are trying to play their role in lending support to the masses as it is
required by them.
“If
the masses suffer, the businesses will suffer too. It is therefore important
that people offer helping hands to the needy particularly in this Holy Month of
Ramadan.”
