In a bid to ensure that all Ebonyians are secured from communicable diseases, Governor David Nweze Umahi has ordered that all returning Chinese must submit themselves for medical examination.
Umahi gave the order during an emergency meeting summoned over recent outbreak of communicable diseases and other issues.
According to communique issued and sent to 9News Nigeria, the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Ugbala said the Chinese should not to be allowed to work until after 14 days from their arrival date to ensure that they are safe from the communicable disease.
The statement reads in full,
- ON COMMUNICABLE DESEASES – The government of Ebonyi state under the leadership of Engr. David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE is always committed to the safety of Ebonyians both in security, health and well being. The Governor observed that there is lack of awareness on the outbreak of some of the above listed communicable diseases in the state. To strengthen the awareness and ensure the safety of Ebonyians, the Governor directed as follows:
i. That the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Grants and Donor Agencies should immediately liaise with the health officers at the Local Government Areas and Development Centres to increase the awareness on Lassa Fever.
ii. That LGAs Chairmen, DC Coordinators, Traditional Rulers, Councillors and town Union Presidents are to profile and provide a comprehensive data of all the Chinese people residing in their locality to Ebonyi State Government on or before Wednesday as the state government will meet with all Chinese nationals in the State on Wednesday, February 12, 2020.
iii. That all returning Chinese must submit to medical examination and not to be allowed to work until after 14 days from their arrival date to ensure that they are safe from the communicable disease.
iv. That a major campaign and awareness creation for the communicable disease across the 140 Autonomous Communities in Ebonyi State which will take place thrice in the month of February and March and Twice subsequently. The campaign will involve all the LGAs Chairmen, DCs Coordinators, Town Union Presidents, Media, Councillors, Security, Health Workers and Traditional Rulers.
- ON QUARRY INTERNALLY GENERATED REVENUE – The Governor of Ebonyi State has directed that henceforth, there will be no more collection of IGR by Council Areas – the State Government will immediately take over the collection of Quarry IGR and remit to the LGAs whatsoever is their entitlement.
The State Government equally frown at the lackadaisical activities of youths who converge at the quarry sites to illegally extort money from quarry operators and motorists in the guise of revenue agents. As a result of the above, the government direct that henceforth, any youth caught in such act will be arrested and prosecuted in line with the rule of law.
The LGA Chairmen, DC Coordinators, Traditional Rulers, Councillors and town Union Presidents are directed to immediately convene a meeting with the youths to ensure strict compliance with government directives and to completely and immediately desist from their illegal activities forthwith.
The governor has equally directed that all the companies operating in the quarries in Ebonyi State are to immediately commence and finish the construction of the road from their point of operation to the major road.
- ON PROFILING OF FARMERS AND HEARDSMEN/FAMERS MATTER – LGA Chairmen, DC Coordinators, Traditional Rulers, Councillors and Town Union Presidents are directed to liaise immediately with Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and profile farmers in the state in preparedness for the next farming season.
Governor Umahi directed that the Secretary to the State Government, Kenneth Ugbal PhD and Honourable Attorney General, Bar. Cletus Ofeke to immediately hold a meeting with LGA Chairmen, DC Coordinators, Traditional Rulers, Councillors and town Union Presidents to address the issue of headsmen and ensure that the same meetings are held at the various LGAs and DCs.
- ON SECURITY – The Ministry of Security and Border Peace has been directed by the Governor to convene a meeting with the service chiefs in the state to ensure that Motorcycle operators (Okada Riders) are immediately banned from plying Trunk A Roads and their total ban from 7:00PM in the state.
Summarily, the Governor directed that Ebonyians must give maximum cooperation to ensure full implementation of the agreement reached in this meeting.
The Implementation Committee is headed by the Secretary to the State Government and Coordinating Commissioner, Kenneth Ugbala PhD; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Bar. Samuel Okoronkwo as Secretary with the following as members: Dr. Zig Ngele, Chief Mrs. Nkechinyere Iyioku, ALGON Leaders from the three zones in the state, Chairman and Secretary of the Association of Forum of Town Union Presidents, Chairman and Secretary of Councillors Forum in the state.
