The Governor of Abia State, Mr. Okezie Ikpeazu has constituted an enlarged Inter-Ministerial Committee on Coronavirus to ensure swift intervention on the pandemic in the state.
The committee members, who met to review progress made to prevent the disease from afflicting the state and to also put in place control and mitigation plans in case of an unlikely outbreak, restated that the state was yet to record any case of the virus.
The committee, with approval of Governor Ikpeazu, resolved immediate and full enforcement of the previous guidelines on social distancing by security agencies with defaulters handed over to mobile courts for further action.
The committee which expressed concern over the partial compliance by tricycle (Keke) operators directed the security agents to henceforth apprehend any defaulter for trial by a mobile court.
They advised all Abians and residents against non-essential movements within and outside the state. They also encourage Abians who are currently outside the state to remain at those locations pending full containment of the rampaging pandemic.
The committee further stated that “all establishments in the state, particularly hotels, eateries and restaurants that fail to comply with previous guidelines are to be shut down immediately by the task force on enforcement led by Dr. Solomon Ogunji who will work with Local Government Areas enforcement teams led by transition Council Chairmen and Divisional Police officers.
“Members of the LGA enforcement team would be led by the transition Council Chairman while the Divisional Police Officer would serve as Deputy Leader with LGA Head of Service, LGA Traditional Rulers Council Chairman, LGA Education Secretary, LGA Health Authority Secretary, All Community Youth Leaders and Head of Abia Vigilante Services as members.”
LGA enforcement teams were also mandated to ensure that those holding burials, other ceremonies, church worship, streams and sundry gatherings comply with previously issued guidelines.
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Meanwhile, in order to strengthen cooperation between medical institutions in the state in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, the governor also set up a protocol sub-committee to review and domesticate WHO and Nigeria Center For Disease Control (NCDC) protocols on response and management of any outbreak with a view to aligning with existing health infrastructure in the state.
Members of the sub-committee are expected to report back to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Osuji, within 48hours and include Dr. Ejiro Iwuoha as Chairman, Peace Nwaogwugwu as Secretary, and Ugochukwu Onyeonoro, Dr. Ijeoma Nduka, Dr. Michael Enyinnah, Mr. Chidi Aligwe and John Kalu as members.
The committee also agreed that “All borders leading into the state are to be actively monitored and visitors screened before entry and a sub-committee on border surveillance was been set up to be led by Mr. Joe Chinwendu as Chairman.
Also, in preparation for envisaged lockdown, the Governor also approved the setting up of a food security sub-committee to plan necessary palliative interventions in case of a prolonged lockdown.
The members of the committee are John Kalu as Chairman and Mrs. Ukanwa Nwakanma, Jerry Uzosike, Pastor Okechukwu Dike and Stella Igbokwe as members.
A statement signed by Secretary to State Government, Chris Ezem, on behalf of the Abia State Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19, said Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has commenced payment of civil servants with 50 MDAs already paid while others including pensioners will be concluded by Monday, March 30, 2020.
“We strongly encourage all Abians and residents to maintain good hygiene through regular washing of hands with soap and running water, use of original hand sanitizers when available as well as maintenance of social distancing as strongly advised.
“While the state remains COVID-19 free, the administration will continue to proactively take necessary measures based on our regular assessment of threats to protect our people, and in the event of an unlikely outbreak, control the spread. Those who fail to abide by the issued guidelines will certainly have themselves to blame,” the committee said.
