The member representing Arochukwu/Ohafia federal constituency, Abia state Rt. Hon. Uko Ndukwe Nkole has advised members of his constituency to observe a high level of hygiene in the spate of the dreaded COVID 19 ravaging the world.

He gave this advise recently during a stakeholder meeting of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Arochukwu.

While demonstrating proper way of handwashing to avoid contracting the deadly disease, he called on them to make use of our local dry gin in the absence of hand sanitizers. He also appealed to them to obey the government’s instructions on the mandatory 1m minimum social distancing regulations and also avoid touching the face eyes mouth and ears during this period.

He further advised them that there’s no potent medication yet to contain the virus and advised them not to embark on self-medication and to avoid crowded places, making use of face masks and observing hygiene. That efforts are being made the world over by medical researchers to develop a vaccine and cure for the dreaded virus.

That symptoms include coughing sore throat difficulty in breathing and fever with the temperature above 37.5ocThat once anyone develops such symptoms should immediately self isolate and contact me for immediate help and evacuation to Abia State Government Isolation Centre f attention Stakeholders of the party had met to harmonize the candidates for the Local Government Congress of PDP that took place on Saturday, 21/3/20.

They raised concerns over the activities of some members from Arochukwu LGA whom they described as Umuahia politicians, accusing them of relocating the internal affairs of the local government to Umuahia and wondered the place of the grassroots in the whole arrangement.

They commended the federal lawmaker for always finding time to reach and identify with them.

Rt. Hon. Uko Nkole promised that henceforth, members of the party will be benefiting on the meritorious ground as the era of when another man works another benefit has gone.

The TC Chairman thanked him for coming to address them, he promised that they will work as one body for the overall development and progress of Arochukwu LGA in particular and Abia State in general.

President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the immediate release of a 10 billion Naira grant to Lagos State, the epic centre of COVID-19 as a measure to increase its capacity to control and contain the outbreak of the virus.

He also ordered that the sum of a 5 billion Naira special intervention fund be released to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to equip, expand and provide personnel to its facilities and laboratories across the country.

The President in a release he personally signed and made available to ABN TV on Thursday also said that the Nigerian Air Force is already making its fleet available to the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, to enable a better coordinated and more effective response across the country.

“Over the last few days I have received extensive briefings on the state of the nation as it relates to the Covid-19 pandemic, from the relevant Federal Government agencies as well as the Lagos State Government.

“Accordingly, I approved the following:

“The immediate release of a 10 billion Naira grant to Lagos State, which remains the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak in Nigeria. This grant will enable Lagos State increase its capacity to control and contain the outbreak, while also supporting other States with capacity building.

“The immediate release of a 5 billion Naira special intervention fund to the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) to equip, expand and provide personnel to its facilities and laboratories across the country.

“The Nigerian Air Force is already making its fleet available to the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, to enable a better coordinated and more effective response across the country” he said.

He also expressed regret over the closure of international airports and land borders, insisting that it is in the best interest of all Nigerians.

“To protect our homeland from external exposure, I directed the immediate closure of our International Airports and Land Borders for four weeks in the first instance, to enable us put up the appropriate policies, processes and infrastructure to cope with suspected and confirmed cases at home, without risking a compounding of the situation with more imported cases.

“The inconvenience caused by these flight and travel restrictions to our fellow citizens abroad who want to return home is regrettable, but it is necessary for the greater good, and I thank you all for your understanding and cooperation.

“I have also directed that only cargo vessels that have been at sea for more than 14 days be allowed to dock in our ports, after the crew have been tested and confirmed disease-free by the Port Health Authorities. This 14-day restriction however does not apply to vessels carrying oil and gas products as by their nature, there is minimal human contact.

“We have also suspended the movement of commuter trains to limit the spread of the virus to other parts of the country.

“I have directed the NCDC to draft all its recent retirees back into service to beef up our manpower as we respond to the pandemic.

“Furthermore, all NCDC staff and experts who are away on training or international assignments are to return immediately. Already the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) are conducting an evacuation mission to bring back some of our specialists in Central Africa, to enable them support the national response.

“I commend the monetary policy authorities for their financial intervention to support our entrepreneurs and companies as we go through this difficult time. We are also looking at fiscal measures to minimise the negative impact of this pandemic on the livelihood of millions of Nigerians.

“As you are aware we have begun the process of reviewing the federal budget. We shall communicate our fiscal interventions once the budget review process is concluded.

“In the meantime, I have directed the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, to work with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, to ensure that all production of essential items such as food, medical and pharmaceutical products continues unhindered.

“We are engaging our international friends and partners to share knowledge and to seek their support in our response to the pandemic. We are grateful for the show of support thus far – we have already started receiving goods and supplies intended to help us scale up our efforts.

“Let me specially thank and commend all of the hard and heroic work being done by our medical personnel, the NCDC, Port Health Authorities, Security Agencies, State Governments, and all ad-hoc staff and volunteers.

“I urge all Nigerians to be mindful of those among us who seek to spread panic and misinformation, and sow confusion at this time. We must all pay attention only to the relevant government agencies working day and night to make accurate and useful information available to the public.

“I will also ask all of us to strictly obey all public health guidelines and instructions issued by the Federal and State health authorities, regarding personal hygiene and social distancing. These guidelines will be updated from time to time as new information and treatments are obtained.

“In the meantime, I want to assure all Nigerians, that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting all Nigerians. We seek your full support and cooperation as we go through this very difficult time. Together we will triumph over this pandemic” he said.