COVID-19: A’IBOM TO SHUT MARKETS OVER NON-COMPLIANCE WITH PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
………..The Akwa Ibom State Chairman of COVID-19 Management Committee, Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem has threatened to shut down indefinitely, markets that fail to comply with its safety directives aimed at preventing community spread of the Corona Virus pandemic.
Ekuwem who is also the Secretary to the State Government, gave the warning on Wednesday June 24, 2020 during a meeting with all the Market Presidents at Obong Akpan Isemin Hall in the Government House, Uyo.
Addressing the market leaders drawn from the 31 Local Government areas of the State, Ekuwem while expressing disappointment with the level of compliance in markets, stressed on the need to adhere strictly with all the COVID-19 preventive measures. He announced that from tomorrow June 25, erring markets would be shut without further warnings.
In his remarks, the Honourable Commissioner for information and strategy- Sir Charles Udoh, implored all market Committees to provide hand washing facilities at strategic locations in their respective markets or face indefinite Closure. Noting that Community spread of the virus could occur during bargaining, the State information Boss charged all market leaders to liaise with their respective Local Government Council Chairman from tomorrow, to enforce, “no face mask, no entry into the market”.
On his part, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Trade and Market Matters- Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael while describing the Akwa Ibom State Chief Executive as the Most traders- friendly Governor in Nigeria, commended Governor Emmanuel for always placing priority on matters concerning the wellbeing of the traders in the State.
Adding that the preventive measures reiterated by the State Government was for the interest and safety of Traders, Raphael who doubles as the international President of Akwa Ibom Traders expressed the traders’ readiness to enforce the State Government directives by ensuring that no one enters any market without proper use of face mask.
Some market leaders who reacted to the Government’s directive, commended Governor Emmanuel for the proactive measures put in place to prevent further community Spread of the virus. They however, promised to return home and constitute enforcement committees in their respective markets for full implementation of the Government directives.
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