By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Ahead of the proposed re-opening of the 63 major markets in the state, the Anambra State Government has commenced training of COVID-19 Task Force for the markets in the state and in the state.

It has also set up stiffer measures to enforce border closure for further notice. The measures include posting of political appointees to the Governor and youths to the affected borders, especially those in the rural areas.

Governor Willie Obiano had in a meeting with leaders of the 63 markets in Aguleri reeled out four conditions to be met by the various markets in order to have them re-open for business on Monday, May 4, 2020.

Addressing members of the Task Force drawn from the 63 markets during the training, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Solo Chukwudobelu, said that the Task Force team were expected to ensure that all markets are orderly and in doing that, adhere strictly to the guidelines set out by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) in preventing the spread of Coronavirus.

On his part, the state Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Uchenna Okafor, warned that any market that failed the preventive guidelines will be shut down immediately.

“Government is highly determined to ensure the state does not record any case of COVID-19 again,” he said.

The training which was conducted by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala, centered on what the traders need to know about COVID-19, the mode of transmission and the best way to prevent it.

News Express reports that Governor Obiano had last month imposed a border closure in the state in order to curtail the influx of visitors from outside the state.

This measure followed the announcement of a COVID-19 index case in the state.

A statement by the SSG on Thursday said: “Following observed continued influx of persons into the state especially through informal border routes thereby exposing the state to the risk of imported community spread of the virus. Government has resolved to strengthen enforcement of the border closures by involving community efforts.

“Political appointees, majorly Special Assistants to the Governor are hereby posted to designated border locations to support enforcement actions by the Police and other security agencies.

“Likewise, porous and informal border points identified in various local communities with little presence of formal security will henceforth be manned by the following youths who will help prevent any form of movement into the state from those locations.”

The statement warned that political appointees and youths posted to the borders must not indulge in any kind of extortion and unwholesome conduct saying that they are empowered to be firm in disallowing movement of unauthorised persons, goods and services.

Continuing, the statement stressed that no form of movement is allowed into the state through the informal border points at remote villages.

Chukwudobelu observed that the initiative by the State Government is purposed to support existing and laudable efforts of the Police and other agencies and not to replace it.

While urging all those involved to take note and be properly guided, he said: “Vigilante groups in all communities bordering the state are hereby fully activated to support nominated youths and law enforcement agencies to enforce the border closures. Traditional rulers and PGs of affected communities are to ensure follow up action.

“Henceforth, trucks and all vehicles conveying good and other essential goods must be searched to ensure they are not transporting human beings. Such trucks conveying food items and essential goods must not carry more than three persons at a time.

“Ambulances and vehicles conveying dead bodies are to be denied access until strict clarification on cause of death is confirmed by the state Ministry of Health and conveyed by the commissioner of Health to the commissioner of Commissioner of Police in respect of each deceased.

“On no account should any passenger vehicle or private vehicle be granted access into the state.”

According to him, independent monitoring teams have been set up to oversee the activities of the political appointees and youths posted at the borders as well as the general enforcement of the border closures.

He added: “The State Government urges all indigenes of Anambra State to remain wherever they are in the country for the time being. The general public is also strongly advised that the state borders are closed and will not admit travelers into the state at this time.

“Business people are encouraged to embrace haulage and waybill options in their transactions as visits to the state for business purposes will be impossible at this time.”

He noted that the state Police Command and other Security Agencies have been fully briefed on the above for further necessary action.