No protest will be tolerated in Bauchi – SSG
Story by Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi
The Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, Barrister Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, has assured that no strike is going to happen in Bauchi.
Kashim disclosed this at a press conference held at the Government House Bauchi on Wednesday.
He said that government has commenced investigation into the matter, and the officer responsible for sharing the false information will face the consequences.
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He clarified that the state government does not endorse, nor will it tolerate such activities that could potentially threaten public safety and security and affirmed that the government’s responsibility to maintain peace and protect citizens from any form of disturbance.
Kashim said that the government is not aware of, nor welcoming, any protest in the state and warned potential protesters to “think twice” before attempting to organise any demonstration in Bauchi, stressing that the state will not tolerate any protest because Bauchi people are peace loving.
He said the impromto press conference was as a result of false information circulating about the state’s approval to close Primary Healthcare Centres on the day of the planned protest, Kashim debunked this claim, stating that the government had no knowledge or involvement in the decision.
He said government has commenced investigation into the matter, and the officer responsible for sharing the false information will face the consequences.
Kashim said that all Primary Healthcare Centres and public institutions in the state will remain open, emphasising the government’s commitment to maintaining peace and stability and dismissed circulating rumours suggesting that the government planned to close PHCs on the day of the protests.
The SSG assured the public that PHCs and essential services would operate as usual, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring uninterrupted access to healthcare for all residents of the state.
It was reported in some national dailies last Tuesday that Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, the Executive Chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board, announced that the state government will close all PHCs on the day of the proposed nationwide anti-government protest.
Dr. Mohammed was quoted to have said that “Security reports indicate that our PHCs are targets during the planned protest. We are not willing to risk the lives of our staff and patients; therefore, we will shut down the facilities.
“On the day of the protest, our health facility staff will be on holiday to avoid being victims of the attack. Normal services will resume after the protest,” Mohammed said.
Proofreading by Gift Luckson, Editor at Neptune Prime.
