By Martha Igbiks
Ahead of the planned resumption of schools by the Federal Government, the Rivers State Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) expresses need to support community-based initiative such as production of Personal Preventive Equipment (PPE) as the fight against the dreaded COVID-19 continues.
The Lead coordinator, RCCE, Mr Mordecai Olowole stated this when the team visited Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council Secretariat in Omoku, recently.
The aim, Mr Mordecai explained, is to help stabilize the economy, build resilience, encourage self-reliance and promote community hygiene as the virus persists.
Olowole thanked the ONELGA Council Chairman for efforts made so far to curtail the spread of the disease in the area and sought for collaboration with the LGA in the engagement of their people in various empowerment skills development, such as nose mask, hand sanitizers and liquid soap production.
He further called for the need to decentralise the emergency response at the State level and have it domesticated at the LGA level to facilitate reports of daily happenings from the communities through the LGA to the State.
Related: Community-Based Initiatives, Solution to COVID-19 Response
Also speaking, the UNICEF Consultant on Communication for Development, Mrs Glory Odu-Oji, stressed the need for focus to be on the safety of children, especially when schools resume, noting that women and children are the most vulnerable in any pandemic.
She further expressed dissatisfaction on the non- compliance to the COVID-19 protocols in the area and appealed to the council chairman not to relent in enforcing compliance until the virus is totally eradicated.
Earlier, Leader of the RCCE delegation, and General Manager of RUWASSA, Mr Napoleon Adah, expressed appreciation to the ONELGA Chairman for his support in the fight against COVID-19, adding that, the virus is real and those who refuse to believe are only living in denial.
Responding, the Chief of Staff of the LGA, Hon Isaiah Eliozue, who represented the Council Chairman at the event, thanked RCCE for the visit, assured them of the Council’s willingness to give the necessary support in their community engagement drive.
He used the forum to highlight some of the things done by the LGA during the pandemic era.
The RCCE also attended another event organised by the Rainbow Watch and Development Centre, an NGO, supported by WEWE whose target is the reduction of HIV/AIDS with a view to assist indigent families to take care of their children.
