Etim Ekpo Council Boss Enforces Border Lockdown
In a bid to adhere strictly to preventive measures against COVID-19, and in compliance with the recent Akwa Ibom State government directives on border closure, the Executive Chairman of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Udeme Eduo, led all the security chiefs in Etim Ekpo, alongside Etim Ekpo Covid-19 Lockdown Enforcement Committee (EEC-19LEC), to Iwukem and all other entry points into Etim Ekpo to enforce total lockdown and apparent closure of borders in those areas.
The chairman who used the occasion of the lockdown exercise to visit the Paramount Ruler of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, His Royal Majesty, Obong (Prof.) Amanam Udo, briefed him on the state government directives on border closure in order to dissuade visitors from coming into the state to infect Akwa Ibom people with the deadly virus.
The Chairman explained that, the intention of government for the lockdown is to decongest market places and all other public gatherings of more than 50 person,. saying that with this crowd control measures put in place, government would be able to possibly contain and control the spread of the virus in the case of any confirmed case or outbreak within the state.
The Paramount Ruler, Obong Udo, who was visibly elated, appreciated the chairman for being proactive, and as well as the effort of government in showing commitment towards the general wellbeing of the people.
He posited that a responsive government is any government that is committed to the collective welfare and wellbeing of the people of which health is most critical. “I must sincerely commend this government for being people oriented at a most critical time as this, working assiduously to put measures in place in readiness to contain the dreaded Covid-19 Virus that is ravaging around the world”, Prof. Udo emphasized.
In that same vein, the Chairman moved to Eka Offiong Market at Eka Uruk Eshiet to sensitize the market women and the entire people of Eka Uruk Eshiet, on the need to stay at home and also observe social distance as instructed by the state government.
While addressing traders in the market and Eka Offiong people in general, the Chairman gave particular emphasis to regular washing of the hands with running water or hand sanitizer, social distance and avoidance of inappropriate touching of the mouth, eyes and nose.
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Amidst loud cheers, the people appreciated the Chairman for his concern towards the people by coming himself to educate and sensitize them on Covid-19 preventive measures. While also singing and jubilating, the people assured the Chairman of their strict adherence to all the instructions reeled out by the government.
Going forward, the Chairman moved to Iwukem alongside all the security chiefs- Ikot Ebo and Etim Ekpo divisional police officers (DPOs)- Immigration; Leader of Council, Hon. Ifiok Jim; Secretary of Council, Barr. Sunday Ukanga; PDP Chapter Chairman, Hon. Aniekan Dan; PDP Chapter Youth Leader, Hon. Joe Jim; Supervisor for Education, Saturday Atakpa among others to enforce the closure of the boundary between Iwukem and Azumini.
Also, meeting with the Community and village heads at Iwukem, Rt. Hon. Eduo, stressed that the exercise as directed by the state government is intended to curtail the rate of flow and influx of people coming into the state, to be able to monitor, track down and heighten preventive measures in order to check the spread of Covid-19.
He appealed to the village heads to do everything within their reach to collaborate the effort of government and also enforce compliance to the preventive measures against the virus as well as the lockdown at the local level.
