C. Don Adinuba; Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment
The government of Anambra State has expressed worry over neglect of directives, guidelines and precautionary measures put in place by the government to checkmate the spread of the Coronavirus in the society.
In a public notice issued through the Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba on Wednesday, the government said it observed defiance of the directives put in place prior to lifting the lockdown.
Cautioning on enforcement of COVID-19 Protocols in the State, he emphatically mandated leaders of various unions including market leaders and religious leaders to ensure that their followers and members comply fully to the measures put in place for safety of the public.
The statement reads;
“It has come to the knowledge of the State Government that certain individuals and groups in Anambra State have been going about their business in defiance of the directives, guidelines and the relevant law on the prevention of the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state. They neither wash their hands regularly for up to 20 seconds with water and soap nor observe social distancing of two metres. They do not apply sanitisers. They do not wear face coverings; when they do, the face masks cover only their jaws or their chins whereas face masks are meant to cover the mouth and nostrils because these are critical orifices through which the virus enters the human body. Worse, some of our people have begun to conduct burials and funerals as well as title taking ceremonies with pomp and pageantry, and in the process attract huge crowds.
“The State Government views this development with the seriousness it deserves because of the enormous implications for the health of our people. Consequently, Governor Willie Obiano has just issued a proclamation on the mandatory observance of COVID-19 protocols in Anambra State. Anyone who fails to comply with the protocols will be prosecuted at any of the Mobile Courts set up to try offenders.
“Presidents General of Town Unions, Traditional Rulers, Chairmen and Members of Local Government Transition Committees, Market Leaders, Officers of various Unions and Associations as well as Religious Leaders are enjoined to ensure that their followers comply strictly with the directives, guidelines and law on fight against the coronavirus pandemic. Any Town Union President General or Igwe or Local Government Transition Committee Chairman who allows a ceremony which attracts a crowd of more than 30 persons will be charged with dereliction of duty and sanctioned appropriately.
“The Anambra State Government wishes to thank all individuals, groups, organisations and communities that have gone beyond the call of duty to mobilise their people in the fight against coronavirus. We thank in particular the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, who is also Obi of Onitsha, for his extraordinary commitment and devotion. Agbogidi has demonstrated inspiring leadership in this battle and has as a result challenged all the leaders of our dear state in various endeavours to do more for our people.
“Together the people of Anambra State will win the war against COVID-19. May God continue to protect Anambra State, the Light of the Nation”.