Amid increasing allegations of violation of interstate travel
restriction by the federal government, the South East Revival Group
(SERG) has commended all the 17 local government chairmen in Enugu State
over their commitment to measures aimed at curtaining the spread of
Coronavirus disease in the state.
The group particularly gave a passed mark to efforts by the council
chairmen at the state boundaries for enforcing the directive by Governor
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi that they mobilise to man their land borders, urging
governors in the region to construct lockable barriers manned by local
vigilante groups to stop defiant interstate travellers violating federal
government directives.
In a statement signed by its President/National Coordinator, Chief Willy
Ezugwu, the national pan-Igbo pressure urged other state chairmen in the
South East to emulate Enugu State council chairmen and increase their
policing of their boundaries to check interstate movements, particularly
the influx of the South East by Almajiris the northern part of the
country.
“The deliberate efforts of all the local government chairmen in Enugu
State to stem the spread of Coronavirus disease in the state in line
with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s directive that they mobilise and man
their boundaries to reduce interstate movements is highly commendable.
“We believe that the Anti-Coronavirus measures by the federal government
can only produce the desired results if there is a buy-in by all
citizens, particularly grassroots leaders and influencers at the local
levels.
“At this stage of the war against COVID19 pandemic, the need for
grassroots leaders to do more in area of sensitisation, enlightenment
campaigns and palliatives distribution to vulnerable families affected
by the impact of the anti-COVID19 measures cannot be overemphasised.
“Therefore, we urge all local government chairmen in the South East to
emulate their counterparts in Enugu State to ensure that returnees to
their domain observe the prescribed protocol to ensure we win the war on
Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the world and causing mass deaths
globally.
“We equally urge all South East governors to erect gates or lockable
barriers at all their interstate entrance routes and empower local
vigilante groups and youths to man them day and night until the pandemic
is over to put an end to interstate movements by defiant travellers.
“This has become very needful following reports of continued violation
of both curfew imposed by the federal government and non-adherence to
interstate lockdown directives, which not only poses health challenges
but also security risk”, the SERG stated.