Management and staff of the Directorate of Government House and Protocols, Asaba, have been charged to obey all the COVID-19 guidelines so as to avoid being victims of the second wave of the pandemic.
The Permanent Secretary in the Directorate, Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje, gave the charge today, at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba while addressing top management and senior staff of the directorate.
Ogidi-Gbegbaje directed all heads of units in the directorate to ensure that staff compulsorily wear face masks, wash their hands and use hand sanitizers regularly, and obey protocols that would keep the virus at bay.
“You should not drop your guard against COVID-19. While you are in your respective offices, you should obey all COVID-19 protocols. We should be very cautious by protecting ourselves.
“COVID-19 is very much with us; we should be properly guided as the second wave of the virus is more deadly,” the permanent secretary said.
He advocated routine medical check up by staff to nip any underlying ailment in the bud before it overwhelms their health, stressing that healthy body and mind were needed for optimum productivity.
Ogidi-Gbegbaje advised staff to redouble their efforts in the performance of their duties in line with the Stronger Delta Vision of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, emphasizing that the best was required from staff of the directorate who, according to him, were in the mainstream of the governor’s office.
The permanent secretary who commended staff for giving their best last year, gave assurance that their welfare would continue to receive government’s priority attention.
In a lecture on COVID-19, the Chief Medical Officer, Government House Clinic, Dr Anthony Okwunze, reminded all of the need to adhere strictly to measures aimed at breaking the spread of the virus.
He affirmed that regular wearing of face masks, hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, avoidance of crowded places and prompt medical aid when unwell, remained the best ways to curb the devastating effect of the dreaded disease.
On indiscipline among staff, the Director of Administration, Mr Lucky Nkemachor, advised heads of various units to enforce discipline in line with civil service rules, adding that the directorate should be a pace-setter in all ramifications.
The Director of Establishment, Mr Victor Osuya, advised civil servants in the directorate to get acquainted with the new extant rules of the civil service so as not fall prey to the rules.
Other speakers at the event commended Sir Ogidi-Gbegbaje for his administrative acumen and sued for unity of purpose among staff in the discharge of their duties.
The event featured praise and worship as well as prayer for the state government and residents of the state.