Apprehension about the dreaded but novel coronavirus scourge is said to have hit Imo Government House Owerri, following reports that the powerful Chief of Staff to President Mohammadu Buhari of Nigeria, Alhaji Abba Kyari is said to have tested positive to the virus.
The fear enveloping Imo Government House followed the news that most of those who had contact with Kyari, who returned to Nigeria from Germany with the virus, are said to be have either tested positive to the virus or been isolated.
The story is that Kyari who is the major power House in Nigeria today after the President, is said to have shaken hands and embraced some of the All Progressive Congress, APC Governors who attended a meeting with the President in the process of brokering peace between embattled APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and some APC Governors bent on removing him from office.
The fear also rose from the tumultuous crowd that trooped into Imo State on Monday that Governor Hope Uzodinma inaugurated members of his expanded State Executive Council.
Trumpeta was told that most of those who arrived Imo State for the ceremony arrived from Lagos and Abuja, areas where coronavirus have been officially confirmed to have infected some victims.
However, Prof Maurice Iwu, the Head of the Committee to battle Coronavirus in Imo State has said that the virus has not yet arrived Imo State as nobody has tested positive to the deadly disease.
Meanwhile, there is panic-buying in Imo State following the fear that the Governor may soon close markets in the State to avoid crowding.
This could be as a result of decisions of other Governors to close Markets in their States.
The River State Governor Nyesom Wike, had ordered the closing of all borders linking Rivers with other States, while the Lagos State Governor has ordered the closure of all markets in the State.
Predictions are not clear how the situation will hit Imo masses in the nearest time as there are conflicting reports if the coronavirus situation will improve or worsen.
However, Investigations carried out by our Reporters indicate that Imo citizens are yet to realize the enormity of the coronavirus disease as most people are not adhering to the instructions given out by the State Government.
This is because some schools are still in operation, while most Government Institutions and Establishments are not obeying the instruction of placing wash hand basins and sanitizers in their premises.
However, most Banks in the State are complying with the instructions, even as mammoth crowds are trooping to banks daily to make last minute withdrawals to stockpile food stuff as the weekend approaches.
Meanwhile, it is said that Imo State Government is ready for the epidemic, but the masses are yet to be informed the Hospitals for expected victims and where they are located, incase emergency arises.
“Other States have redied their facilities incase of eventualities. All we have seen in Imo is the Press Releases by the Committee, without telling us where to go to incase of emergency” Dr Festus Nwocha told Trumpeta.
Meanwhile, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has ordered the closure of all major markets in the state, effective Saturday morning this week as part of his administration’s strategy to control the spread of the Corona virus disease. He has, therefore, appealed to citizens to do their shopping between Thursday and Friday. Also, the Governor reiterated that civil servants who fall within the approval given by the Head of Service not to report to office should stay at home until further notice.
Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba told a press briefing after the maiden meeting of the State Executive Council, Wednesday, that the state government has procured Ambulances for the 27 Local Government Councils in Imo State, and also established more testing centres across the state.
Flanked by the Commissioner for Special Duties, Barr. Francis Dibiagwu; Commissioner for Education, Prof. B.T.O. Ikegwuoha; and Chief Press Secretary/Media Adviser, Oguwike Nwachuku, Hon. Emelumba re-emphasized that the governor was in consultations with Church leaders that all schools are closed latest Friday.
Also, he said commuters entering the state through the land borders are to be screened before being allowed entry.
Speaking on the capital city of Imo State, the Information Commissioner said the Exco has resolved that the city of Owerri be returned to its original Master Plan, as it will solve the issue of flooding and other environmental hazards being experienced currently.
Hon. Emelumba announced that the state Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has risen from the initial N620m the government met on ground in January when Governor Uzodinma took over office to N1.2b within two months.
On education, Emelumba said that the Exco unanimously agreed that Imo State University must be given its pride of place as the only State University, assuring that qualitative education must not be sacrificed on the altar of mediocrity.
To this end, he stated: “The Education Commissioner has been mandated to bring a holistic report on the education status vis-à-vis its standard at the next Exco meeting for consideration.”
