RESIDENTS WANT ANAMBRA STATE GOVERNMENT TO MAINTAIN CLEAN RECORD ON COVID-19
Some residents of Anambra State have appealed to the state government to do everything necessary to ensure that the state keeps its Coronavirus free status. During separate interviews with Radio Nigeria, the people, while appreciating all the measures already taken by the Government, also called for welfare interventions that can lessen the impacts of the disease on all residents.
Radio Nigeria gathered that the State Government had earlier ordered the closure of major markets, excluding sections where food items and drugs are sold, while the newly constructed NYSC Orientation Camp at Mbaukwu-Umuawulu had been converted to an isolation centre in anticipation of any outbreak of the Coronavirus.
Vehicular and pedestrian movement is restricted while borders between Anambra and neighouring states of Imo, Enugu and Delta, shut down.
The stay at home order, though a major preventive measure adopted by the Government of Anambra State, is negatively impacting on residents, who lamented the epileptic power supply situation, particularly in the state capital, Awka. One of them, Comrade Obi Ochije, wondered how people who had been forced to stay indoors would enjoy their stay without power supply.
“It is very difficult staying at home without light. If there is light, you will watch television to pass time. But this one there is no light, when you talk of money to go and buy food, you are also bothering yourself about alternative power supply, your generator. It’s an unfortunate situation. The Federal Government should intervene to see that Enugu Electricity Distribution Company supplies light at least ten hours in a day,” Comrade Ochije lamented.
A labour leader, Comrade Benson Jibike, commended all the precautionary measures announced by the government as well as interventions to cushion the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on the vulnerable, including the elderly ones. He however opined that much more was still expected from the government.
“The markets are closed, all social activities had been halted. The Governor has also established a soft package for some citizens that are seventy years and above in all the communities in the state. But the government should do more. Even civil servants needs help. All their children are at home now after spending so much to keep them in school. They are all back at home surviving on the little the parents could provide. Government should please consider them,” Comrade Jibike lamented.
For a woman, who pleaded anonymity, the stay at home order is in the interest of everyone, no matter how hard life has become. According to her, nothing can be compared with the efforts to save lives.
“If staying at home is what it takes to stay safe and be alive, then it is sacrifice we all must pay. I urge Nigerians to continue to abide by all the instructions from relevant authorities at this critical time,” she appealed.
For Mr. Samson Adigwe, closing the borders between Anambra and other states is a commendable move by the government, but enforcement must be taken seriously.
“I thank the Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for closing the borders of Anambra with Imo, Enugu and Delta States. However, I observe that people in Awka are abiding by the preventive measures, especially the social distancing. Several people in Nkpor and Onitsha don’t care. But the enforcement task force must be commended for all their efforts to ensure that people comply. It is my wish that Anambra State will not record any case before the pandemic becomes a thing of the past,” Mr. Adigwe prayed.
The respondents, however, appealed to the Anambra State Government to consider the plights of other residents of the state,
who had been made vulnerable by COVID-19 pandemic.
Markets and religious places are still under lock, buses are only permitted to carry two passengers per row, while tricycles convey only two passengers. These have led to one hundred per cent increase in the transport fare and prices of food items.
Although, Anambra State had not recorded any confirmed case of the disease, the government is not resting on its oars.
Rather, it has hinted that at the expiration of the stay at home order, whoever must be found on the roads and streets across the state must put on a face mask.
ALFRED AJAYI