Global Digital Store – Ebooks and Softwares

Tag: Government

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

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.”

PUBLIC HEALTH

News

AddThis

:

Original Author

:

SaharaReporters, New York

Disable advertisements

:

Read More
http://saharareporters.com/2020/03/25/nigeria%E2%80%99s-ex-vice-president-atiku-donates-n50m-coronavirus-fight

Views: 0

March 26, 2020
Coronavirus: Panic In Delta As Persons With Suspected Symptoms Flood FMC Emergency Ward

The Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, is currently witnessing large influx of visitors with suspected symptoms of Coronavirus.

A staff of the medical facility, who spoke with SaharaReporters, disclosed that many of the visitors were apprehensive that they might have contracted the virus after feeling unwell.

“There is serious fear since Monday night, so many persons with suspected symptoms of Coronavirus have been coming into our emergency ward and the number is increasing even though no formal tests had been carried out on such persons.

“We have been told not to disclose a confirmed case so as to avoid panic in the state.

“Some of our colleagues working in government hospitals across the state told us that there was nothing on ground to show preparedness for the pandemic.

“A Lassa fever case was recorded at the facility and the patient, a pregnant woman, was subsequently transferred to Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo State,” the source said.

When contacted, Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Victor Osiatuma, said that there were no Coronavirus patients at the health facility.

He said, “Apart from the Lassa fever case of a pregnant woman recorded in our facility, there is no other case or cases of an outbreak of any dreaded disease here.”

PUBLIC HEALTH

News

AddThis

:

Original Author

:

SaharaReporters, New York

Disable advertisements

:

Read More
http://saharareporters.com/2020/03/25/coronavirus-panic-delta-persons-suspected-symptoms-flood-fmc-emergency-ward

Views: 0

March 26, 2020
Oil Benchmark Slashed To $30 Per Barrel By Nigerian Government

The Nigerian Government on Wednesday proposed $30 per barrel of oil so as to work the 2020 national budget around that.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, in Abuja.

Ahmed advised a review of the 2020 budget using a $30 per barrel price benchmark in favour of the previous $57.

She also said, “The privatisation proceeds will be cut by 50 per cent, based on the adverse economic outlook on sales of the Independent Power Projects and other assets.

“The Federal Government is working on Fiscal Stimulus Measures to provide fiscal relief for taxpayers and key economic sectors.

“We will incentivise employers to retain and recruit staff during the economic downturn.

“We will stimulate investment in critical infrastructure; review non-essential tax waivers to optimise revenues, and compliment monetary and trade interventions to respond to the crisis.”

Oil

News

AddThis

:

Original Author

:

SaharaReporters, New York

Disable advertisements

:

Read More
http://saharareporters.com/2020/03/25/oil-benchmark-slashed-30-barrel-nigerian-government

Views: 0

March 26, 2020
Coronavirus: Medical Supply Donated By Chinese Billionaire, Jack Ma, Moved To Abuja From Lagos

The Nigerian Government has moved medical supplies donated by Chinese billionaire, Jack Ma, to combat Coronavirus in the country from Lagos to Abuja.

However, the decision to move the supplies to Abuja has caused a storm on social media with citizens raising the alarm that the materials were about to be distributed to wealthy government officials in the nation’s capital.

Bashir Ahmed, Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari, made the announcement on Wednesday.

In a post on Twitter, he said, “Medical materials donated by @JackMa to fight #Coronavirus in Africa have arrived Abuja, airlifted from Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, by the Nigerian Air Force.”

FLASH: Medical materials donated by @JackMa to fight #coronavirus in Africa have arrived Abuja, airlifted from Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos to Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja by the Nigerian Air Force. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/RbIQ2tf5YE

— Bashir Ahmad (@BashirAhmaad) March 25, 2020

PUBLIC HEALTH

News

AddThis

:

Original Author

:

SaharaReporters, New York

Disable advertisements

:

Read More
http://saharareporters.com/2020/03/25/coronavirus-medical-supply-donated-chinese-billionaire-jack-ma-moved-abuja-lagos

Views: 0

March 26, 2020
Adamawa Governor Denies Refusal To Pay N32,000 New Minimum Wage

Adamawa State governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has debunked media reports claiming that his administration had backed down on paying the N32,000 new minimum wage.

The governor said that workers on Grade Level 1 to 6 had been paid their March salaries with the new minimum wage template.

A section of the mass media had on Tuesday quoted the government as saying the new minimum wage was suspended due to hardship caused by the outbreak of Coronavirus in the country.

Solomon Kumangar, Director General, Media and Communications to the governor, on Wednesday said only the consequential adjustment affecting workers from Level 7 to 17 was suspended temporarily.

He said, “Government wishes to draw the attention of the public to the regrettable misunderstanding arising from an earlier statement regarding the payment of March salaries without the consequential adjustment agreed upon by organised labour.

“As at now, workers have started receiving March salary alerts with the N32,000 minimum wage.

“It is only the consequential adjustment that the government was unable to implement due to the economic crunch imposed by the global pandemic Covid-19.”

Politics

News

AddThis

:

Original Author

:

SaharaReporters, New York

Disable advertisements

:

Read More
http://saharareporters.com/2020/03/25/adamawa-governor-denies-refusal-pay-n32000-new-minimum-wage

Views: 0

March 26, 2020
Zulkifli proposes suspension of mosque, surau activities be extended

KUALA LUMPUR: Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) senator Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri (pix) has proposed for an extension to the suspension of all activities including Friday prayer, at mosques and surau until the Movement Control Order (MCO) period is over.

Zulkifli in a statement today said this was following a decree by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah for Muslims to perform the prayer in their homes to break the chain of Covid-19 infections.

“It is also in line with the Online Resolutions of the National Council of Islamic Religious Affairs’ Muzakarah (discussion) Committee members on March 20, 2020 which has agreed that the suspension be extended until March 31, 2020 or in accordance with any decision made by the Malaysian government from time to time,” he said in a statement today.

However, Zulkifli said it was up to the Islamic religious authorities in each state to decide on the matter adding that he hoped all Muslims would abide by the MCO directives.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today announced that the MCO period would be extended until April 14.

Meanwhile, Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department director Mohd Ajib Ismail said Friday prayers as well as all mosque and surau activities in the Federal Territories have been suspended until the end of the MCO period. – Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/zulkifli-proposes-suspension-of-mosque-surau-activities-be-extended-FH2180263

Views: 0

March 25, 2020
Health Ministry mulls over use of ‘Favipiravir’ to treat patients

PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry is considering the use of antiviral drug ‘Favipiravir’ to treat Covid-19 positive patients, according to its director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah (pix).

He said the drug, which is also known as ‘Avigan’ and ‘Fuhaikang’, was not yet registered in the country.

“We (MOH) can approve it. However, we need to test the drug as it has certain side effects. So we need to be careful when using it,” he said during the daily press conference on Covid-19 here today, explaining that the drug was known as Avigan in Japan, and Fuhaikang in China.

In the event that the drug is approved, patients will need to be closely monitored to ensure its effectiveness, he explained.

Meanwhile, Dr Noor Hisham said 800 ventilators were required in government hospitals, out of which 500 would be designated for the specific use of Covid-19 cases.

The ministry had purchased 229 units of ventilators, with 54 units already received. The remaining 175 units are expected to arrive by early April, he said.

The private sector had also agreed to lend 64 ventilators for use in government hospitals, he added.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin recently announced an allocation of RM500 million for the purchase of medical equipment such as ventilators and Intensive Care Unit equipment, additional personal protective equipment (PPE) for public medical personnel, and for laboratory requirements for Covid-19 tests. – Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/health-ministry-mulls-over-use-of-favipiravir-to-treat-patients-LH2180159

Views: 0

March 25, 2020
Water bill exemption, electricity bill discount in Sabah beginning April

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

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/water-bill-exemption-electricity-bill-discount-in-sabah-beginning-april-YH2180133

Views: 0

March 25, 2020
558 Malaysians stranded in India brought home today

KUALA LUMPUR: Five hundred and fifty eight Malaysians flew home safely today from Chennai and Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) in three special Air Asia aircraft, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Kamarudin Jaffar (pix).

In a statement, he said 186 Malaysians arrived at Kuala Lumpur international Airport 2 (klia2) from Chennai at 5.50am via flight AK-013.

Another 372 people returned from Trichy through flights AK-22 and AK-28 at 5am and 6.40am, respectively.

“The three Air Asia flights which brought home the Malaysians were fully sponsored by MIC. So far MIC has assisted the government to bring home 1,119 Malaysians stranded in India including three infants,” the statement said.

Kamaruddin also said all Malaysians who returned have to go through voluntary quarantine for 14 days as stipulated by the Health Ministry.

As of today, there are 1,679 Malaysians still stranded in India and the government is stepping up efforts to bring them home.

Meanwhile, Kamaruddin said 109 Malaysians stranded in Cambodia are expected to return at 9pm tonight via MAS flight MH763.

In this regard, six Cambodians who were stranded in Malaysia would be going home via MH762, which was arriving in Cambodia at 5.30pm.

“The effort is the result of the cooperation between Wisma Putra and the Cambodian government to looking the plight of citizens stranded each other’s country,” he said.

In the meantime, the Pakatan Harapan (PH) Presidential Council is urging the government to obtain the approval of the Indian government to bring back Malaysians who are still stranded in the country.

In a statement today, PH said the government has to talk with the Indian government on the matter.

“The situation was reported to be getting more complicated as the Indian government has imposed a three-week lockdown from yesterday.

“It is learned there were efforts to organise chartered flights to bring Malaysians who are stranded in Cochin (Kerala), Trichy and Chennai (Tamil Nadu) home,” the statement said. – Bernama

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/558-malaysians-stranded-in-india-brought-home-today-CH2180015

Views: 0

March 25, 2020
Private hospitals urged to provide more assistance to govt hospitals

PETALING JAYA: Private hospitals are asked to put profits aside for now and in the name of service, support the Health Ministry in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.

Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (Fomca) CEO Datuk Dr Paul Selvaraj said in this time of crisis, private hospitals, especially those run by government-linked companies, should give their utmost to assist the government given that public hospitals are called to treat the rising number of Covid-19 patients.

“Put service as priority and put aside profits for now,“ he told theSun today.

Suaram adviser Kua Kia Soong suggested that private hospitals step forward to take some of the burden off the public sector by providing some sort of subsidised charges or no cost at all. They should also help with cases which are not related to the viral pandemic, fill the need for special wards, offer intensive care unit space and equipment such as ventilators and oxygen supply.

“In the best of times, private hospitals reap the benefits of the much touted Malaysian product known as ‘medical tourism’ and attract the best medical talents from the public sector.

“Now that we are in the worst of times, private hospitals don’t seem to be doing too badly either.

“According to the Affin Hwang Capital Research, the coronavirus pandemic is likely to have only a muted impact on private hospital operators as they are required to report such cases to public hospitals and the national infection centre,“ Kua said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, in response to the many questions broached of late, president of the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia (APHM) Datuk Dr Kuljit Singh said they (private hospitals) have made available 51 ventilators to the Health Ministry.

“We will be accepting non Covid-19 cases from the Health Ministry hospitals too. Discussions on taking on cases are in the final stages,“ he said in a statement on Tuesday.

He also said the APHM and its member hospitals see this as an opportunity for the private hospitals to work with the Health Ministry and the government in facing this national crisis.

“We have the support of all private hospitals in cancelling electives and reducing non urgent consultation while some private hospitals have even started Covid-19 screening for walk-ins and drive-ins,“ he added.

Read More
https://www.thesundaily.my/local/private-hospitals-urged-to-provide-more-assistance-to-govt-hospitals-GN2179989

Views: 0

March 25, 2020