Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has warned that the state could go into another lockdown if residents refuse to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines.
Emmanuel who gave the warning in his Christmas message to the people of the state on Friday admonished residents to cooperate with government to beat the second wave of the pandemic and reciprocate the sacrifice of health workers who have been at the forefront of the fight.
“Fellow Akwaibomites, let us press forward by doing all we can to stay alive and beat the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic. As you may already know, we are currently experiencing the second wave of the pandemic, but as we had succeeded in stemming the rate of infection when it first hit our shores, I ask you to join hands with us again to beat this second wave.
“The use of facemasks, social distancing, regular hand washing, hand sanitizers are protocols that have worked in reducing infections. Let us remain committed to applying these protocols. If we adhere to these simple but effective rules, there may be no need for us to impose another lockdown, but if we observe that these rules are flouted, then we may have no other option than to put the State under lock -down. ” Emmanuel warned.
He said that the construction of the 300 bed Infectious Disease Control Centre Centre at Ituk Mbang demonstrated the proactiveness of the state government in fighting the scourge and has enabled the state to stay above the curve and able to manage the pandemic and other infectious diseases very effectively.
In spite of the challenging year that 2020 has been Emmanuel said, the state government have been able to achieve a number of milestones in the execution of it’s Completion Agenda adding that increased investment in. Ibom Air has made it a roaring success, a source of pride to the state.
“Earlier this year, the Federal government approved for us the Oil and Gas Free zone which is a huge step in our industrialization agenda. A little over a week ago, the Federal Executive Council finally granted us the approval to commence work on the long awaited Ibom Deep Seaport Project.
“The Ibom Deep Seaport will change the economic dynamics of our State and indeed the entire South South and South East respectively and launch us towards a period of unparalleled growth and development. This is a great achievement for our State and our people and I thank God that He used my Administration to achieve this historic milestone.” He said.
The Governor expressed hope that the celebration of the birth of Jesus would end tribalism, ethnicism, petty-mindedness, and other vices that tend to create divisions and distractions in the state and lead to increased brotherhood among the people of the state.
