The Interim Management Committee (IMC) Chairman, Ngor Okpala Local Government Council of Imo State, Hon. Chief Mayor Obinna Nweke, on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 went on an inspection tour of Imo/Abia and Imo/Rivers borders being the two states sharing boundary with Ngor Okpala Local Government Area.

The first border inspected by the Chairman was the one between Imo and Abia, located between Okpala and Owerrinta Isi-ala Ngwa, Abia State. Hon. Chief Nweke arrived the border and met with the Joint State/Local Government Health Screening and Surveillance Team for COVID-19.

The leader of the Team, Mr Oleru Oscar, a State Representative from the Ministry of Health, Imo State, had a chat with the IMC Chairman on how they have been carrying out their job to ensure that Imo is secured and safe from the spread of the deadly Coronavirus (COVID-19) from other states.

Mr Oleru expressed gratitude to the IMC Chairman for paying the health team a visit at Owerrinta. He explained to the Chairman that they were thoroughly screening people on essential duties before allowing them to pass the border, while others outside this set of people were not allowed to pass the border. He said they were able to achieve this through the help of the Nigerian Police and other security agencies posted to the Imo/Owerrinta Isiala Ngwa border.

When asked by the IMC Chairman how they screen people, Mr. Oleru said they were making use of Infrared Thermometer Temperature device, also known as temperature gun, for checking of people’s temperature, after which hand sanitiser is given to people to help sanitise their hands.

The IMC Chairman highlighted that Imo State had not gotten any case of COVID-19, and he applauded the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, “for the priority attention and commitment he has shown in the fight against the spread of the virus in the state.”

Hon. Chief Nweke made it clear to the Joint State/Local Government Health Screening and Surveillance Team to maintain strict check on people on essential duties before they allow them to pass the border into Imo State. He told the Health Team that he had already secured an isolation centre for any suspected case, through help of Governor Uzodinma, and requested them to call him in case of any eventuality.

He enjoined the security operatives to take the border security very serious and to always assist the health officers to ensure that people with high temperature rates are quarantined at the Ngor Okpala Isolation Centre for proper health examination and subsequent running of COVID-19 tests.

At Okudu Amala Ngor Okpala/Igbodo Etche Rivers State border, the leader of the Joint State/Local Government Health Screening and Surveillance Team, Mr. Sampson Eugene, was represented by the Disease Surveillance and Sanitation Officer Ngor Okpala Local Government Council, Mrs. C.C Onuoha.

When interrogated by the IMC Chairman on how they have been carrying out their job, Mrs. Onuoha explained that the Health Team was checking the temperature of everyone on essential duty before allowing them cross the border. She also said their work was made easy by the presence of the Nigerian police at the border.

In his remarks, the IMC Chairman called on everyone both in Ngor Okpala and Imo State “to continue thanking God for giving them a governor that is conscious of health.” He prayed God to keep strengthening Governor Uzodimma for more strategies in protecting the health of citizens and residents of the state, while appreciating the Governor “for the good works he is doing Imo State.”

•PHOTO: Ngor Okpala Local Govt Council IMC Chairman, Hon. Chief Mayor Obinna Nweke, interacting with health personnel during the inspection tour on Wednesday, April 22, 2020

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