Anambra state government has opted to train a COVID-19 task force for Garki market, Amansea, Awka North local government area of the state.
The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Vincent Okpala disclosed this on Wednesday when he led a delegation of health officers to the market to sensitize traders on measures for preventing the spread of COVID-19.
The visit was necessitated by the need to ensure adequate enlightenment of all citizens and residents of Anambra state with respect to the novel coronavirus.
Speaking at a market-square meeting with traders, Dr Okpala expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance to established hygiene protocols exhibited by traders in the market.
He further took time to explain the nature of the contagion and its deadly effect on human beings.
“There is every need for traders to heed all directives from government and health officials on this COVID-19 disease. Government has adopted a lot of measures but our people must take ownership of these measures. This market is key to what we are doing hence this sensitization exercise. We implore all traders here to remain law-abiding, health-conscious and observant. The market leaders should also constitute a COVID-19 task force in the market and the health ministry will train the members,” Okpala said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra State on Health and Executive Secretary of Anambra State Health Insurance Agency (ASHIA), Dr Simeon Onyemachi, encouraged traders to continue observing good personal hygiene and all other hygiene protocols.
According to him, good hygiene is the basic means of preventing the spread of coronavirus.
Dr Onyemachi who spoke fluently in Hausa, to the delight of the traders, emphasized the need for social distancing and handwashing in the market and the mosques.
He said that the state government is committed to ensuring that every resident of the state is protected from the virus provided that residents obey the government’s directives.
The Sarkin Kasua of the market, Mallam Bello Maigari expressed gratitude to the health commissioner and his team for the visit and thanked the government for remaining dedicated to the war against COVID-19 in the state.
“Our traders are especially happy regarding the fumigation of markets and abattoirs in the state. On our part, we will remain law-abiding and compliant to all established health and hygiene protocols,” he said.
Alhaji Mohammed Idris, a cattle seller, lauded government’s commitment to protecting everyone resident in the state irrespective of tribe or religion and the team for finding time to visit the market to sensitize traders.
The team presented 100 units of face masks to the traders. They also inspected the boundary patrol at Amansea.
