A group of civil society organisations (CSOs) and frontline workers has asked President of The Gambia, Adama Barrow, to address Gambians on the state of the nation amid the Covid-19 crisis.

Development Diaries learnt that the CSOs called on the president to announce government’s next steps in tackling the virus that has put the nation in a difficult situation.

‘We urge you to face the nation, and speak to us, within the next 72 hours, as to the next steps to be taken by your government in dealing with this stage of the pandemic, as well as steps being taken to address our urgent requests…’, the CSOs said in a statement.

‘It is inappropriate and unacceptable to leave such a responsibility of steering such a response to your spokespersons. We request a report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as to why he handed over the PPEs to the office of the first lady and what she did with the PPEs, and evidence of who she gave these PPEs to, as well as who involved.

‘Provision of the daily allowance for frontline health workers as well as equal payment for frontline workers be effected immediately. The ministry needs to rethink its modus operandi, and adopt best practices, to ensure optimal, effective, and efficient deployment of the talent, abilities, and experiences of health workers.

‘We request the daily allowance of a minimum of D750 be paid to us. The Ministry of Health needs to provide adequate accommodation to frontline responders, especially those that are exposed to infected patients’.

The CSOs that signed the letter included the Democratic Union of Gambian Activists (DUGA), Gambia Participates, Gambia Conference of Reforms and Democracy (GAMCORD), and the Gambia Bar Restaurant and Night Club Association (G-BRANA).

Also among the signees were the Right to Know (R2K), the Association of Non-Governmental Organisations in the Gambia (TANGO), and Team Gom Sa Borpa.

Source: The Point

Photo source: Mark Hodson Photos