As you are aware, the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is spreading across all countries of the world. Some have been more severely impacted than others. Consequently, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Federal and State governments in our areas of operations have come up with measures aimed at containing and controlling the spread of the virus. These measures are achieving various degrees of success.

As a responsible organisation, we must be proactive in the drive to curtail the spread of the virus and protect our most vulnerable. At this stage, more stringent steps have to be taken to further protect employees. To this end, the company has rolled out a number of measures to protect employees and the business using our COVID-19 management protocol.

These measures include limiting office-based employees to only the most critical duties while others will work remotely. Additional measures have been applied at our field locations to ensure our staff observe social distancing and remain safe. I appeal to all employees to comply with preventive procedures and best hygiene practices recommended by WHO, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) as well as directives and guidelines from both state and federal health ministries.

We are strongly encouraged to access and use only genuine information platforms and phone numbers published for emergencies where they occur and observe recommended preventive measures including social distancing, regular hand-washing and where it becomes necessary, self-isolation. The self-isolation guidelines issued by the NCDC on March 18, 2020 is available online and on their website; it should serve as a reference material for all of us.

I am hopeful that these measures will yield desired results as we work together towards containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

Accept my best wishes and stay safe.