To effectively curtail the spread of coronavirus in Abia State, the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Barr Chris Ezem, has charged Transition Council Chairmen to take responsibility and be more effective in enforcing guidelines issued by the State Government in the efforts geared towards the eradication of the virus.
Barr Ezem who stated this as part of an updated guideline issued to TC Chairmen today in Umuahia the Abia State capital, also urged the LG Bosses to strengthen their enforcement teams in the monitoring of borders, markets, burials, churches, transportation and schools.
“In view of the fact that most of the cases we currently have are from Umuahia North, Umuahia South, Aba North, Aba South, Obingwa and Osisioma LGAs, the TC Chairmen of these local governments are hereby directed to give maximum cooperation and support to the medical protocol team with regard to their contact tracing efforts.
“The TC chairmen are also required to pay unscheduled visits to churches and ensure compliance with COVID-19 protocols”, he said.
Barr Ezem who is also the Chairman of Abia State Interministerial Committee on COVID-19, further tasked the TC Chairmen to ensure that erring churches are sealed off and their leaders sanctioned.
While directing that they work with the State’s Homeland Security with a view to monitoring the borders, Ezem urged the chairmen to direct education secretaries in their respective LGAs to monitor public and private schools and report any school contravening the state government directives on COVID-19 or face sanctions themselves as they would be held responsible for any lapses observed at the grassroots level.
