The Akwa Ibom state government says it has concluded the modalities for embarking on mass testing of residents.
Addressing reporters on Sunday, Emmanuel Ekuwem, chairman of the OCIVD-19 committee and the Chairman COVID-19 committee and secretary to the state government, said the state government is willing to relax the lockdown in order to heighten tough economic situation.
He said voluntary aggressive testing has become imperative because without ascertaining the level to which the masses have been impacted by the Coronavirus, it would not be possible to relax the lockdown, which he said has just been extended by one week.
The committee chairman said right from when the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the state, the committee embarked on serious contact tracing which he said helped to forestall community transmission.
Advertisement
“For the avoidance of doubt, the total lockdown in Akwa Ibom State remains in place as earlier proclaimed and defaulters will only have themselves to blame if caught by the law enforcement agencies deployed around the state to enforce the lockdown order,” he said.
“As a leader, who feels for the people, Governor Emmanuel, approved that palliatives be distributed across the State. This he has done to lessen the hardship being experienced by the people of Akwa Ibom, whose socio-economic lives have been disturbed as a result of the lockdown. So far, flour, garri, and rice, all produced within the borders of Akwa Ibom State, have been distributed in about 3,000 villages. Beans was also distributed to the poorest of the poorest amongst us.
“In as much as government is eager to lift the lockdown order and allow life to return to normal, it will not do so if that will jeopardize even the life of one Akwa Ibom person. For, to endanger the life of one is to endanger the lives of all.”
Advertisement
He urged citizens to be aware that lockdown order was still in place and anybody caught should blame his or herself.
Add a comment
