Lockdown: Secretary to Ogun State Government, Talabi shuns journalist’s enquiry on ‘official exemption’ of Dangote trucks
The Secretary to the Ogun State Government, Tokunbo Talabi has kept mute over a controversial statement credited to him, issuing an order that, the Dangote Company vehicles should be exempted from the restriction of movement following the ravaging coronavirus.
Penpushing reports that, Ogun State is currently observing two weeks lockdown which commenced Friday night as ordered by the Federal Government, but within 24 hours of the lockdown, a controversial statement alleged to be from the office of the Secretary to the State Government awash the social media ordering that the Dangote vehicles should be allow to operate within the length and breadth of the State
The controversial statement with reference number SSG/Admin.21/3 4 April 2020 titled ‘To whom it may concern: Covid 19 lockdown: Exemption of Dangote trucks reads, ‘This is to confirm that Dangote Plc, trucks are exempted from the restriction of movement and total lockdown of the state as a result of the coronavirus(Covid-19 pandemic’
The statement credited to the Secretary to the State to Government allegedly signed by him emphasized further, ‘you are requested to permit the trucks to move freely within the State because of the essential multi-sectoral services the company renders to the public. Thank you’
Penpushing further reports that, several efforts were made to establish the authenticity of the order and the statement, hence, a phone call was put across to the Secretary to the State Government, but did not pick calls nor return the call.
The Secretary to the State Government in the same vein ignored messages sent to him both directly to his phone number, as well as his whassap contact, while efforts to also get reaction from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Kunle Somorin proved abortive.
Meanwhile, the Chief Press Secretary when contacted on phone pledged to get back to Penpushing Media, but over three hours after the assurances, it became herculean task to get in touch with him again.
