BREAKING!! COVID-19: Ikpeazu Goes Tougher, Says Lockdown, Curfew Fully Activated, Acknowledges Receipt Of 1800 Bags Of Rice From FG

The Abia state governor, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has adopted more stringent measures to tackle the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in the state, imposing a dusk to dawn curfew in the state in addition to the subsisting lockdown.

The Governor while also warning against the conduct of economic activities in the state cautioned Transition Committee Chairmen of the various local government areas in the state as well as Traditional Rulers to ensure a total compliance as well as easy assess of health workers who are on contact tracing in their domains.

In a release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, the Governor in making these new steps public Saturday evening at a Media Briefing expressed deep concern that inspite of the fact that Abia has recorded two index cases of the pandemic which has resulted to very aggressive contact tracing by officers of the State Ministry of Health, a good number of Abia citizens still find it difficult to heed to the Stay At Home directives made by the government.

The Governor noted that so far, 237 contacts have been successfully traced by epidemiologists from the State Ministry of Health across three local governments of Ukwa West, Ikwuano and Umuahia North.

“A Dusk to Dawn Curfew is hereby declared in the State. The implication of this is that with effect from tomorrow, (today) Sunday, April 26th, 2020, no form of movement of people shall be allowed in the State from 6pm in the evening till 6am in the morning.

“This curfew shall BE IN ADDITION to the existing lockdown in the State. Within the period of the curfew, no form of economic activity shall be allowed. Local Government Areas Transition Committee Chairmen shall monitor the compliance of the curfew in their respective local government areas.

“In view of the challenges faced by our epidemiologists in the tracing of some of the contacts of our index cases in some communities, especially in UMUORIE of Ukwa West LGA, the Governor has ordered the Transition Committee Chairman of Ukwa West and the Traditional Ruler of the relevant Community to ensure that the health officers are granted unfettered access and cooperation to do their work. Failure to do this will result to immediate suspension for both the Chairman and the Traditional Ruler.

“Also in a bid to do a comprehensive and effective contact tracing in the three Local Government Areas of Ukwa West, Ikwuano and Umuahia North, these local governments shall be on TOTAL LOCKDOWN for Seven days, effective from midnight on Sunday, 26th April 2020. The respective Local Government Chairmen in these areas shall be held personally responsible should any lapses occur.” the statement read.

The Governor while declaring that the people of Abia State cannot allow the ineptitude or carelessness of a few to put the collective well-being of people of the State in jeopardy, he added that the use of face masks in the State is compulsory and defaulters shall be apprehended and prosecuted by the Mobile Courts established for that purpose. The Courts he said shall commence sitting from Monday, 27th April 2020.

On the distribution of palliatives, the Governor ordered the Secretary to Government to expand the membership of the Committee to include Transition Committee Chairmen of Local Government Areas, all Honorable Commissioners, Christian Association of Nigeria, Traditional Rulers, Civil Society Organizations, Women Journalists, Presidents General of Town Unions and Development Associations and others.

“The Committee shall embark on the distribution of further palliatives from Community to Community, starting from next week.

“Also the Association of citizens of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi States will also be reached while special provisions shall be for other groups like artisans, mechanics, bus and keke drivers” he said.

The Governor also acknowledged the receipt of 1800 bags of Rice from the Federal Government and stated that the supplies will be examined to ascertain their wholesomeness, after which the people shall be briefed on the modalities for their distribution.

On the receipt of a number of face masks from the NCDC, the Governor made it clear that Abia State has attained self sufficiency in the local production of face masks and there won’t be any need for any imported face masks and PPEs in Abia State.

The Governor expressed his deep gratitude and those of the entire citizens of the state to Frontline workers, describing them as our REAL HEROES.