By Ragan M. Conteh
The Leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC), Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, has warned Members of Parliament and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to stop “using electronic register to prevent COVID-19 in the country.
According Dr. Yumkella, COVID-19 has posed serious setback to the entire world and because of its seriousness he warned the House of Parliament to now use the manual register, thereby saving people from possibly contracting the virus.
He urged Parliament to fully comply with the measures, revealing that the Government should now heighten preparedness on prevention.
The Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Bundu, has stated that the disease is no respecter of territory, adding that the Parliament of Sierra Leone has announced the COVID-19 as a pandemic even before World Health Organization (WHO) did so.
He said the lives of Sierra Leoneans are at stake, although the country has not yet recorded a single case but should be very vigilant to ensure the status quo.
In his presentation, the Minister of Local Government, Tamba Lamina, informed Members of Parliament that, to enhance the fight to prevent COVID-19 in Sierra Leone, his ministry has held meetings with the 190 Paramount Chiefs and tribal heads.
According to Tamba Lamina, the meeting was to ensure proactive measures as local government in order to identify the by-laws used during the Ebola epidemic. He added that a budget has been prepared in order to execute these by-laws.
He said his ministry will positively raise awareness in their localities across the country.
The Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Jambai, also spoke on the need to strengthen awareness raising campaign in Sierra Lone to prevent COVID-19 in the country.