Tag: Efforts

  • Coronavirus: Kwara Group Calls For Palliatives For Poor Residents

    Coronavirus: Kwara Group Calls For Palliatives For Poor Residents

    Coronavirus: Kwara Group Calls For Palliatives For Poor Residents 1

    Coronavirus: Kwara Group Calls For Palliatives For Poor Residents 2


     

    Elites Network for Sustainable Development, a Kwara-based civil society organisation, has urged Kwara State governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, to provide palliatives for poor people in the state.

    The government has ordered residents to stay at home as part of efforts in curbing the spread of the pandemic in the country.

    ENetSuD, in a letter jointly signed by its Coordinator, Dr Alagbonsi Abdullateef; and Secretary, Mahmud Usman Baba; noted that notwithstanding the laudable lockdown order, majority of Kwarans in the informal sector would be severely affected.

    ENetSuD said the government should consider and approve the spending of one-month Internally Generated Revenue of the state for the provision of food items to people in the informal sector across Kwara.

    It said, “Most of the people in this sector possibly cannot feed themselves and their family members without accessing their shops and rendering their daily services.

    “The latest statement from the State Technical Committee on COVID-19 dated 27th March 2020 that the KWSG is considering palliatives for the poorest of the poor at this critical COVID-19 pandemic period.

    “Thus, ENetSuD further suggested the following possible ways the government may wish to consider for the implementation of the proposed palliative measures: the measures should be mainly foodstuffs and agricultural items that will serve the purpose of feeding, but not hand-sanitisers or face masks.

    “This is based on the fact that the lockdown order has already significantly prevented physical contacts of people as they are now unavoidably staying at home, and all households can efficiently practice hand washing with soap.

    “The measures should only be for Kwara residents in the informal sector who are the most affected by this pandemic-induced lockdown.”

    ENetSuD added that the measures should exclude the civil servants in the formal sector since the government had graciously continued to pay their salaries even during the period, which would remove hardship.

    It also suggested that the government works with artisans, market and community associations to altruistically identify their members with a genuine need for the palliative, adding that the process should be transparent to the public.

    It added, “We urge the government to strictly supervise the exercise collaboratively so that the impact could be truly felt by the people really in need of the measures.

    “Distribution of items of this nature is best done by independent bodies, especially reputable nongovernmental organisations.”

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  • Schistosomiasis elimination: refocusing on snail control to sustain progress

    Schistosomiasis elimination: refocusing on snail control to sustain progress

    Substantial progress has been made during the past decade to prevent and control schistosomiasis (also known as bilharziasis) globally. The disease affects more than 230 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Progress is mainly due to large-scale periodic treatment of affected populations with praziquantel, the only medicine recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) against all forms of schistosomiasis. Regular treatment cures mild symptoms and prevents
    progression to severe, chronic disease.

    “Through progressive scale-up of periodic large-scale treatment
    to control morbidity in many endemic countries, we are closer to
    achieving the minimum target of 75% global coverage of all school‐aged
    children,
    ” said Dr Amadou Garba Djirmay, who leads WHO’s global schistosomiasis control programme. “But
    if we want to achieve elimination, we must go a step further to
    introduce snail control in hot spots and in areas targeting elimination.
    This is bound to increase impact and accelerate progress towards
    interruption of transmission
    .”

    Expansion of treatment is largely supported by donated praziquantel from Merck KGaA of up to 250 million tablets annually. In 2018, almost 78 million children were treated, representing 63% of all school‐aged children eligible for treatment.

    Transmission: role of snails

    Schistosomiasis is an acute, chronic parasitic disease caused by infection with trematode worms of the genus Schistosoma. It is prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas, especially in poor, rural communities that have little or no access to
    safe drinking‐water and basic sanitation. Infection is transmitted when people suffering from schistosomiasis contaminate freshwater sources when evacuating urine and faeces containing the parasite’s eggs.

    Once an egg comes into contact with fresh water, it releases miracidia (hatchlings) which enter a snail and produce hundreds of cercariae (larvae) daily. The cercariae enter the human body on contact with the skin and develop into adult worms.

    Besides treatment with praziquantel, eliminating snail hosts and improving sanitation are important methods for sustainable prevention of the disease. Dam and irrigation projects are known to be potential sites for outbreaks of the disease. Snail management,
    often achieved through mollusciciding, can help to reduce transmission by eliminating these intermediate snail hosts.

    Vector control

    In 2017, the World Health Assembly – WHO’s decision making body – adopted resolution WHA70.16 on the Global Vector Control
    Response, calling on Member States to develop or adapt national vector control strategies and operational plans. The strategy aims to reduce by at least 40% the incidence of vector borne diseases, including schistosomiasis, by 2025.

    In response, WHO is reinforcing snail control as part of its strategic approach to achieve the target of eliminating schistosomiasis as a public health problem and, ultimately, the goal of elimination of transmission. Snail control will complement mass
    treatment campaigns and sustain the public health impact of this core intervention.

    To facilitate implementation of snail control, in 2019 WHO published on specific, standardized procedures and criteria for efficacy
    testing and evaluation and in 2017 a manual on the use of molluscicides in the field. WHO is also planning to strengthen capacities
    of health staff in medical malacology in order to reinforce snail control activities in countries.

    In the past, molluscicides (particularly niclosamide1 based products) were widely used in schistosomiasis control programmes. For example, in China programmes largely relied on snail control for over 30 years to overcome the disease as a public
    health problem. In other parts of the world, however, snail control programmes were gradually discontinued and competencies faded away.

    “Snail control is a crucial component of the global schistosomiasis elimination strategy,” said Dr Rajpal Yadav, Scientist, WHO Department of Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases. “It
    is time we look for new snail control products that are cost–effective
    and of low risk to humans and the environment. Some efforts are being
    made to explore molluscicide compounds from plants, marine algae and
    microorganisms
    .”

    An integrated control strategy involving mass treatment with praziquantel, snail control and environmental modification, wider access to sanitation and safe water, economic and environmental development, health education and poverty-alleviation can greatly
    contribute to sustainable control and elimination of schistosomiasis.

    WHO’s new road map on neglected tropical diseases for 2021–2030, due to be launched later this year, advocates enhanced financial and political support to achieve the target of interruption of transmission. Additional research to address gaps,
    develop tools and optimize the impact of existing programmes with snail control will complement the core strategic approach.

    Schistosomiasis: forms of the disease

    There are two major forms of schistosomiasis – intestinal and urogenital.

    Intestinal schistosomiasis usually results in diarrhoea and blood in the stool; enlargement of the liver and of the spleen and portal hypertension are common in advanced cases.

    Urogenital schistosomiasis is characterized by the presence of blood in the urine. Chronic infection results in fibrosis of the bladder and ureter that can evolve to hydronephrosis and create conditions for bladder cancer.

    In women, urogenital schistosomiasis can cause vaginal bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse and nodules in the vulva, a condition now described as female genital schistosomiasis. In men, urogenital schistosomiasis can induce disease in the seminal
    vesicles and prostate.


    1Limitations with the use of formulations based on niclosamide include restrictions on the usage of water immediately after application and temporary toxicity to non-target aquatic organisms including
    fish, amphibians and invertebrates. 

     

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      • COVID-19: Should Education Hit A Pause Or Are We Just Unprepared In Nigeria? By Olabisi Deji-Folutile

        COVID-19: Should Education Hit A Pause Or Are We Just Unprepared In Nigeria? By Olabisi Deji-Folutile

        Olabisi Deji-Folutile
        Olabisi Deji-Folutile

        COVID-19: Should Education Hit A Pause Or Are We Just Unprepared In Nigeria? By Olabisi Deji-Folutile 3Olabisi Deji-Folutile


         

        The world is facing its most trying and unprecedented times as the last few weeks have been most challenging for almost everybody.  What started in Wuhan, China, as an epidemic, has put the entire world in disarray.  Major streets across the globes have become empty. Both the rich and the poor are being ravaged by the plague of COVID-19, which the World Health Organisation has rightly described as a pandemic. Work places have been shut; religious and social gatherings banned and many countries are on total lockdown, in a bid to curb the spread of this viral disease. Expectedly, schools are also affected across board.  Every day people are being told to embrace social distancing and suddenly things like human contacts, hitherto considered as free gifts of life, are becoming very expensive.

        No one knows when this whole chaos will end, so people are making different kinds of adjustments to cope with the situation while it lasts. Many companies have shifted their operations online. Likewise, many schools have opted for e-learning, making use of available technology for teaching and learning.

         Universities around the world are making use of communication technology to ease the effects of the global pandemic on their academic calendars.   In China, universities are going for online teaching instead of in-class teaching; the ones in Australia have moved their classes online just as UK universities have suspended face-to-face teaching.  Turkey started its remote university classes on March 23. In Kenya, universities have activated communication between lecturers and students via social media platforms and emails while classes have gone totally online in the Philippines and Kyrgyzstan.  Teachers in France have been working with their students on Zoom.  

        Just a few days ago, Ghana’s President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, directed the ministry of education to collaborate with the ministry of communications in rolling out open learning programmes in response to the closure of all educational institutions in the country. In the same vein, Mount Kenya University’s Vice-Chancellor Peter Wanderi, has announced the extension of online teaching platforms for regular students to facilitate the learning process.  And to take care of the over six million students that have experienced disruption to their studies, ten North African and 12 Arab countries have begun work on an e-learning initiative to facilitate open and online education.

        These are some of the steps being taken across the globe to bridge the gap created by school closure in the wake of COVID-19.  Unfortunately, while all these activities are going on in other parts of the world, Nigerian government has not said anything about steps being taken to take care of its students’ community.  Rather, the only message from the Federal Government was a total closure of all tertiary institutions and FG-owned unity schools till further notice. A statement issued by the National Universities Commission simply said universities would remain   shut   for one month while the Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, said tertiary institutions would remain shut indefinitely.

         Assuming government has been overwhelmed by the burden of controlling the spread of COVID- 19, hence its silence on options for learning for its teeming student population, one would have expected the higher institutions themselves to at least say something, but as it is, they too are not helping matters. The silence in our universities has been deafening. To worsen the situation, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, decided to choose this time, of all times, to embark on an indefinite strike. One wonders how the academic body   manages to feel comfortable being on a strike at a time when researchers across the globe   are busy looking for solution to a pandemic that is ravaging the entire world.  This kind of action makes one query the essence of having Research and Development as a core component of tertiary education in Nigeria when researchers can be nowhere to be found at a critical time of societal needs.

        By now, our researchers should be adding their voices to the various efforts being made towards developing a vaccine or cure for COVID-19. After all, universities are expected to proffer solutions to societal problems.  This is a wrong time for ASUU to embark on an indefinite strike. This should be a time of strategising and proffering solutions. This is really the time for everyone to get involved. Besides, I think Nigerian universities should also be more forthcoming on their responses to the challenges posed to their students by COVID-19.

        As it is, religious organisations are doing far better in terms of their responses to the effects of this pandemic on their primary constituencies.  Many of them have devised other means of getting the attention of   their members following several government directives prohibiting either gatherings or limiting the number of people allowed to congregate at a time.   Almost all the churches have switched to online platforms for their services.  How come religious organisations are working hard to keep their flocks and both government and higher institutions in Nigeria are just moving on as if all is well?  No word on how to keep the students busy or keep them engaged using available online technology! Should teaching and learning be restricted to the classrooms alone in this 21st century?

         Nigeria has always been described as a religious society. Corona Virus has further exposed the smartness of our religious bodies and the dullness of those in charge of our public educational institutions.  This is not an attempt to blame any religious organisation for having the foresight to deploy technology in reaching their audiences. Instead, it is a wakeup call to managers of our educational institutions to adopt and use available technology to help their students at a time like this.

        Apart from the National Open University of Nigeria, which basically runs online, I doubt if there is any other public university in the country that has capacity for online teaching.  This is in spite of the launch of the Nigerian Communication Satellite known as NIGCOMSAT by the Nigerian Government first in 2007 and then NIGCOMSAT-IR in December 2011, to provide critical ICT backbone infrastructure to support e-learning, among others in the country. 

        What is the essence of investing so much money in a communication satellite if it cannot be deployed at a time of need?   Those in charge of NIGCOMSAT, the commercial arm of Nigeria’s space centre, have consistently claimed that the technology has the capacity to cover the entire Africa.  If that is the case, why is the country still struggling to deploy internet connectivity facilities to its schools to aide e-learning?  If we are truly a serious country, by now, all the schools in urban and rural areas should have been connected to the e-learning services.

        No doubt, COVID-19 has exposed Nigeria’s unpreparedness for e-learning. But, we can’t afford to remain where we are. That is why it is important for every institution to start thinking of how to deploy available technology in the world for the good of their students at this critical period.   Universities should as a matter of urgency migrate online. This shouldn’t be another season of waiting and probably wasting for the Nigerian student.  There is no reason why any higher institution worth its name should suspend all academic activities until the end of Corona Virus with all the available resources and technology in the world today. The minimum expected of them is to upload teaching resources online for students to have access to them.  At least this will give the students the opportunity to learn on their own.

        This is also an opportunity for telecommunications companies like Glo, MTN and the rest of them to make a difference in Nigeria’s educational institutions. They can as part of their corporate social responsibility decide to boost internet facilities in universities and other educational institutions; or provide data at cheaper rates to help poor students have access to the internet for online learning.

        I know there are obvious stumbling blocks to digital learning in Nigeria. Many students don’t even have access to devices while the cost of buying data is still high. These challenges and others have provided    telecommunications companies a huge opportunity of making a difference in Nigerian higher institutions by providing e-learning solutions and broadband connectivity to universities and other higher institutions.

        They can as part of their corporate social responsibility decide to boost internet facilities in universities and other higher institutions; or help poor students who have limited or poor internet access to enhance online learning.

        Olabisi Deji-Folutile is the Editor-in-Chief of Franktalknow.com and member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. Email: bisideji@yahoo.co.uk

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      • UBA Donates N5bn To Support Coronavirus Fight In Africa

        UBA Donates N5bn To Support Coronavirus Fight In Africa

        UBA Donates N5bn To Support Coronavirus Fight In Africa 4

        UBA Donates N5bn To Support Coronavirus Fight In Africa 5


        The United Bank for Africa Plc on Thursday announced a donation of N5bn ($14m) through the UBA Foundation to support the fight against Coronavirus.

        The donation will provide significant and much needed support to Nigeria and 19 other African countries by supplying relief materials, critical care facilities, and financial support to governments, according to the bank.

        The donation will be allocated as follows: N1bn to Lagos State Government, N500m to Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, N1bn to the remaining 35 states in Nigeria, N1.5bn to UBA’s presence countries in Africa, N1bn for medical centres with equipment and supplies free telemedicine call centre facility.

        The bank revealed that it will fund a medical centre immediately in Lagos with beds for isolation and ICU facilities, managed and operated in partnership with Heirs Holdings’ healthcare subsidiary, Avon Medical Hospital.

        UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, said, “This is a time when we must all play our part. This global pandemic must bring citizens, governments and business leaders together – and quickly.

        “As we see a rapidly increasing number of cases of the Coronavirus in Nigeria and Africa, the private sector has to work hand in hand with various governments in stemming the spread of the global pandemic.

        “We commend the efforts of governments and we are keen to partner and contribute our resources to the collective effort that will ensure the response to the pandemic is swift and effective.”

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      • Minister expresses confidence in TNB’s preparedness during MCO

        Minister expresses confidence in TNB’s preparedness during MCO

        Minister expresses confidence in TNB’s preparedness during MCO 6

        KUALA LUMPUR: Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah has expressed confidence on the preparedness of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) in revving up its capacity to meet electricity supply demand in the Peninsula during the Movement Control Order (MCO).

        “I have seen the preparation made by TNB and I am very confident of their efforts. While Malaysians obey the order to stay home, TNB’s employees play an important role in ensuring that the electricity supply is stable.

        “I am also informed that TNB is ready to ensure that electricity supply to hospitals, including health clinics in both urban and rural areas, is assured,“ he said in a statement issued by TNB today.

        The government has decided to extend the MCO, which started on March 18, for another two weeks until April 14.

        Shamsul Anuar, who visited the Southern and Metro Regional Control Centres and the National Load Dispatch Centre at the TNB headquarters in Bangsar here, said TNB plays an important role as the country find ways to contain Covid-19.

        The minister was accompanied by his deputy, Ali Biju; Energy and Natural Resources Ministry secretary-general Datuk Zurinah Pawanteh, ministry deputy secretary-general Noor Afifah Abdul Razak, and Energy Commission chief operating officer Abdul Rahim Ibrahim.

        Shamsul Anuar and the entourage were briefed by TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan.

        Since the start of the MCO, TNB has taken proactive steps by placing 79 sets of mobile generators with various capacities nationwide. Portable power sets have also been mobilised and stand ready when needed.

        The electricity supply system to dedicated health centres for Covid-19 cases, including the Sungai Buloh Hospital and Kuala Lumpur Hospital, has also been strengthened. – Bernama

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      • Muslims urged to perform hajat prayer simultaneously tomorrow

        Muslims urged to perform hajat prayer simultaneously tomorrow

        Muslims urged to perform hajat prayer simultaneously tomorrow 7

        PUTRAJAYA: Muslims in Malaysia are encouraged to perform solat hajat (prayer of need) simultaneously in their respective homes after the Zohor prayer tomorrow in seeking protection and blessings in the face of the current situation in the country.

        Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had urged that he proposed a plan for the prayer to be performed simultaneously nationwide.

        “After much contemplation I have decided that the appropriate date and time for the prayer to be held simultaneously by Muslims wherever they may be, is on Friday, March 27, after zohor prayer,“ he said in a statement today.

        Instead of the congregational prayer this Friday, Zulkifli called on Muslims to increase their zikr adding that this is the time for them to turn back to Allah in forgiveness, repentance and supplication.

        In another development Zulkifli said the application for aid to those affected by the Covid-19 outbreak regardless of their race, religion, state or political affiliation, has been simplified to expedite distribution.

        In fact he said to facilitate submission of application to the Federal Territory Islamic Religious Council, the required documents could be sent via WhatsApp without having to go to the office.

        “I would like to emphasise that the aid which include other provisions is not only extended to Muslims but also to others who are in need,” he said adding the quantum from the related agencies and the number of beneficiaries would be announced soon.

        Zulkifli added that since the #MUSAADAHCOVID-19 mission started on March 19 to date, RM29.01 million have been spent on the vulnerable groups.

        He said donations which were given to those living in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan as well as other states would continue until the MCO ruling ends,

        The mission was the joint efforts of the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation, Federal Territory Zakat Collection Centre, Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council, Waqaf Foundation Malaysia and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department. – Bernama

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      • WHO urges countries to ensure the continuity of malaria services in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

         

        The COVID-19 pandemic is testing the resilience of robust health systems around the world. Recognizing the heavy toll that malaria exacts on vulnerable populations in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as the region’s fragile health infrastructure, WHO underlines the critical importance of sustaining efforts to prevent, detect and treat malaria.

        “As COVID-19 continues its rapid spread, WHO would like to send a clear message to malaria-affected countries in Africa,” said Dr Pedro Alonso, Director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme. “Do not scale back your planned malaria prevention, diagnostic and treatment activities. If someone living in a place with malaria develops a fever, he or she should seek diagnosis and care as soon as possible.”

        Ensuring access to core malaria prevention measures is an important strategy for reducing the strain on health systems; these include vector control measures, such as insecticide-treated nets and indoor residual spraying, as well as chemoprevention for pregnant women and young children (intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy, intermittent preventive treatment in infants and seasonal malaria chemoprevention). Additional special measures could ease the burden on health systems in the context of COVID-19, such as presumptive malaria treatment and mass drug administration.

        Any interventions must consider the importance of both lowering malaria-related mortality and ensuring the safety of communities and health workers. WHO will provide guidance for countries to safely maintain essential health services in the context of the COVID-19 response.

        About COVID-19

        COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Essential information on the COVID-19 pandemic can be found in a dedicated WHO site.

        About malaria

        Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. In 2018, there were an estimated 228 million cases of malaria worldwide and 405 000 malaria-related deaths. For more on malaria, visit: www.who.int/malaria

         

         

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      • Nigeria’s Ex-Vice President, Atiku, Donates N50m To Coronavirus Fight

        Nigeria’s Ex-Vice President, Atiku, Donates N50m To Coronavirus Fight

        Nigeria’s Ex-Vice President, Atiku, Donates N50m To Coronavirus Fight 8

        Nigeria’s Ex-Vice President, Atiku, Donates N50m To Coronavirus Fight 9


         

        A former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has donated N50m in support of government’s effort at combating the outbreak of Coronavirus in the country.

        In a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, Atiku said that he believed the donation will help efforts towards curbing the spread of the pandemic.

        He said, “As the Coronavirus pandemic ravages the world, I applaud the various Nigerian state governments who have proactively taken measures such as issuing stay at home orders, and shutting down non-essential markets and other places of mass gatherings, while also giving guidelines for social distancing.

        “However, we must accept the fact that much of the Nigerian public have a subsistence existence. A large percentage of our people do not have the financial capacity to withstand long periods of self-isolation and even lockdown.

        “It is, therefore, incumbent on the Federal and state governments to provide palliatives to the Nigerian people to enable them to survive, even as they abide by these necessary measures put in place for their own safety.

        “To this end, Priam Group pledges N50m on my behalf as my humble contribution to a relief fund that will form part of the stimulus package.”

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      • Sultan Nazrin consents to setting up of Special Zakat Distribution Fund

        Sultan Nazrin consents to setting up of Special Zakat Distribution Fund

        Sultan Nazrin consents to setting up of Special Zakat Distribution Fund 10

        IPOH: The Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah (pix) has consented to the Special Zakat Distribution Fund, involving RM11.95 million, to ease the burden of the people affected by the Covid-19 outbreak and assist efforts by various quarters in addressing the crisis.

        Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPk) chief executive oficer Shahrul Azam Shaari said the special fund was set up by the council, with the cooperation of several of its strategic partners.

        This special fund, involved RM11.11 million from the zakat allocation, RM30,000 from SP Setia Foundation chairman and RM800,000 in tithe from the corporate sector,“ he said in a statement here today.

        He said Sultan Nazrin consented to the setting up of the fund so that it could be used to help those who are affected by the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) which has been extended until April 14.

        “Sultan Nazrin is concerned and aware that the Covid-19 pandemic has a direct impact on the lives of the people, especially among those with unstable income and those in the low-income group,“ he added.

        Shahrul said the special fund would cover the cost of the Food Box Aid, involving RM240,000, which would be channeled through the Covid-19 Operations Room under the respective District and Land Offices tin the state.

        He said RM5.8 million would be for the Emergency Survival Assistance, which is targeted for households earning RM2,000 and below whose income were affected due to either termination of employment, unpaid leave or other reasons.

        A total of RM2 million is allocated for Special Capital Assistance to assist MAIPk traders, hawkers and entrepreneurs whose business were affected by the MCO; RM100,000 for management and welfare assistance to Perak students studying abroad and RM100, 000 to provide food supply to students at public and private institutions of higher learning in Perak who are still at their respective colleges, he added.

        Shahrul said a special contribution of RM500,000 would be made to the Perak Health Department, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Malaysian Armed Forces and other agencies for the welfare of their Covid-19 frontline personnel.

        RM1 million is for health and medical equipment to be donated to hospitals in Perak, RM1.5 million for purchase of medical equipment to combat Covid-19, like face masks, gloves and disinfectant to be distributed to mosques, suraus and the general public, and RM710,000 for contingency plan, he added. – Bernama

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      • Water bill exemption, electricity bill discount in Sabah beginning April

        Water bill exemption, electricity bill discount in Sabah beginning April

        Water bill exemption, electricity bill discount in Sabah beginning April 11

        KOTA KINABALU: Sabah people will be exempted from paying their water bills and will be given a 30% discount on electricity bills for three months beginning April, according to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal.

        He said the exemption and discount were part of the initiatives introduced under the Sabah Covid-19 aid package in an effort to ease the burden and cost of living of affected people in the state following the virus outbreak.

        “It will benefit 335,000 domestic water users. In addition, the state will give a 28% discount on electricity bills for three months starting April, on top of the 2% provided by the federal government.

        “The discount will involve the state government allocation of RM11.5 million a month or RM35.65 million over the three-month period, and it is expected that 512,000 consumers will benefit from this or equivalent to about 98% of electricity users in Sabah and Labuan,“ he told a press conference, here today.

        Earlier, Mohd Shafie announced the RM670 million Sabah Covid-19 aid package comprising three categories namely assistance to frontliners and affected people as well as efforts to strengthen businesses and improve the quality of rural basic infrastructure.

        Mohd Shafie said residents of the People’s Housing Programme in Sabah will also be exempted from paying rent for six months starting April, which involved an allocation of about RM21.1 million.

        A total of 20,080 households or 110,400 people will benefit from it, he said.

        Also included in the package is a 30% discount on quit rent collections for this year, which will benefit 232,774 individuals and 9,184 companies, among others.

        However, Mohd Shafie said those who had paid the tax this year would be given rebates next year.

        Hawkers are exempted from paying a licence fee by all district councils for this year, which will benefit 26,227 hawkers statewide and rebates will be given for 2021 to those who have paid for the licences this year, he added.

        Mohd Shafie said RM30 million would be allocated for allowance payments of 10 months to Village Community Management Councils (MPKK), which will benefit 2,315 MPKK in Sabah. – Bernama

        Water bill exemption, electricity bill discount in Sabah beginning April
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