The State Government has called on the seventeen (17) Local Government Area Chairmen in the State to reinaugurate the already existing Local Government Covid-19 Committees at the various Local Government levels of the State.
The Secretary to Abia State Government and Chairman Inter-Ministerial Committee on Covid-19, Barr. Chris Ezem who made the call during a meeting with Chairmen of the 17 LGAs of the State, pointed out that the meeting is in line with the Governor’s desire for the Covid-19 team to be relaunched at the grassroot with a bid to reawake the consciousness of Abians towards adhering strictly to the Covid-19 protocols to protect themselves from contracting the virus.
The SSG maintained that the Committee will comprise a Chairman, Secretary, Disease Surveillance Notification Officer, Supervisor Health, member from NOA, Information Officer among others adding that the Committee will be launched centrally on Friday this week in all the LGAs.
He enumerated the terms of reference to include sensitization and advocacy through town hall meetings, responding to alert and signals, case investigation and sample collection.
Others are sample transportation, result follow-up and communication, contact tracing, arrangement for evacuation and enforcement of Covid-19 protocol, pointing out that plans are on top gear to hold an Abia Covid-19 day to be headed by the various Local Government Executive Chairmen, to create awareness on the need for people adhere strictly to covid-19 protocols, check their status stressing that defaulters will be punished in line with the law.
He advised that there must be an inscription of no face mask, no entry, boldly written at the entrance of government offices and public places at the LGAs and urged the Chairmen to comply with the directive.
Also, speaking, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joe Osuji said the idea to reactivate the covid-19 Committee at the grassroot is a welcome development, pointing out that the Committee earlier constituted was very effective and enjoined the Council Chairman to see the directive as a serious task which must be carried out.
BARR. CHRIS EZEM
Secretary to Abia State Government