• 24 commissioners test negative as clerics partner Uzodinma
• Umahi laments lack of testing kits, to name new LG caretaker chairmen
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has confirmed 26 cases of coronavirus in Imo State following the release of the latest figures, a development that is causing anxiety among residents of the state.
Most of the residents woke up yesterday in panic as the figures rose from seven cases, who have been discharged.
Governor Hope Uzodimma had last week cautioned against the disobeying safety guidelines and threatened to impose lockdown earlier relaxed in the state, even as Churches held services at the weekend in spite of the restrictions.
The Guardian learnt that some Churches held services without observing physical distances and other health protocol as earlier advised by relevant authorities.
Also, commercial buses, which were directed to carry two passengers in each row flouted the order, even as taxi drivers, residents of Owerri and rural areas hardly wear face masks in public places.
Besides, Commissioner for Special Projects, Simon Ebebulam disclosed that all 24 commissioners have tested negative for COVID-19.
He stated this on the Imo Broadcasting Corporation (IBC), adding that the test results were released at the weekend.
Ebebulam noted that Governor Hope Uzodimma had at a meeting with the commissioners directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Damaris Osunkwo to ensure compliance.
He said when they realised that Uzodinma meant business they complied with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) safety measures, adding that all the commissioners were given clean bill of health.
Also, Catholic bishops of Owerri Archdiocese, comprising Imo and Abia states met Governor Uzodimma at Government House, Owerri to partner with the state government on how to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
Among other things, the clerics also discussed how to identify with the administration to execute its programmes and projects and assured of their support.
Meanwhile, Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi said the state was finding it difficult to test those at isolation centres across the state due to delay in getting kits from the NCDC.
He said the state has recorded 19nnew cases bringing the number of index cases to 33, maintaining that the testing kits the NCDC gave to the state were not enough and that it was difficult to hold people for 14 days without testing them.
He noted that the cases sneaked into the state through the borders from Delta, Lagos, Imo and other places, adding that the state had discharged six cases that have recovered and that the state does not have a case of community transmission.
Governor Umahi also stated that the state has concluded plans to appoint chairmen of 13 local government transition committee in the state.
In a statement in Abakaliki after an emergency State Executive Council meeting, Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Francis Nweze, said by the expiration of the council chairmen’s tenure, Umahi would on Friday, May 29, 2020 appointed a transition committee for the 13 councils pending the conduct of elections.
