Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has directed Transition Chairmen of the various Local Government Councils to ensure total lockdown of their respective borders.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to Igbere TV on Friday, signed by Barr. Chris Ezem, Secretary to State Government and Chairman, Abia State COVID-19 Committee.
Igbere TV understands that the latest directive and decision by the Abia state government, aims at curtailing further spread of coronavirus in the Southeastern state.
The COVID-19 committee chair said the state will no longer condone inter-state movement, vowing to hold local government chairmen responsible for any violations.
He said the transition chairmen must ensure strict compliance to all COVID-19 directives, particularly on markets, burials, religious activities, transport operators etc.
“Transition Committee Chairmen are to set up Enforcement Teams at their various LGAs to monitor, supervise and ensure compliance of various COVID-19 protocols,” the SSG said.
“Going forward, government will not condone inter-state movement of any sort. Transition Committee Chairmen are therefore directed to liaise with Homeland Security team in enforcing lockdown of all State borders as it affects their local government.
“Furthermore, all Transition Committee Chairmen must ensure strict compliance to all COVID-19 directives, particularly on markets, burials, religious activities, transport operators etc.
“Government will hold responsible, TC Chairmen of any local government where any of the COVID-19 directive is breached, more importantly as it concerns our borders.”
The state government further directed that all vehicles violating its border directives be impounded, and passengers on board such vehicles fined N50,000 each and prosecuted in court.
“Government directs henceforth that any vehicle that violates our border directives should be impounded and taken to the nearby Local Government Council headquarters while all passengers on board the vehicles would be fined N50,000 each.
“All offenders to any directives on COVID-19 in the State are to be prosecuted at the various mobile Courts which are currently operational in the State.”
The SSG said the ban on social gatherings; including weddings, burials, and compulsory use of face masks, were still in full force in the state.
“The ban on public gatherings, weddings etc. remain in force in the state and use of face masks is compulsory.
“Government wishes to acknowledge the valuable support of all donors and untiring efforts of our frontline personnel and health workers in the state including but not limited to security operatives, State and Local Government Enforcement Teams and other volunteer organizations.”
The statement, however, added that citizens must, at all time, continue to support and cooperate with the state government in the fight against COVID-19 in Abia State.
