BY RALPH EJIMKONYE
Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has been advised to address the people of the state on the index case of coronavirus in the State.
Fidelis Echendu, spokesman, Imo Awareness Coalition, IAC, a watchdog group said in Owerri that the Governor “owes it a responsibility to the people of the State by speaking to them on the index case”
“The Governor should speak to the people of Imo State on the index case. That will reassure them that indeed the state government is on top of the situation.There are lot of rumours out there on the index case. This is the time for the Governor to step up and speak on the matter.
“He should emulate Governors Peter Obi of Anambra State and David Umahi of Ebonyi State, who made state broadcasts when index case of covid 19 were confirmed in their States.
“Governor Sanwo Olu of Lagos State is always in the news 247 giving updates on the covid 19 pandemic in the State.
“Because this pandemic is a serious matter, governments all over the world, have striven to keep their people informed and most times re assure them of measures taken to contain the virus
“President Buhari has addressed Nigerians thrice on this covid 19 issue. Our Governor should talk to the people of the State on the index case. It does not matter how many times he speaks on the matter.
Responding to a question that the Governor in his 100 days in office speech mentioned the index case, Mr. Echendu said “the Governor should have placed priority on briefing the people on the index case”
Recall Governor Uzodinma had imposed a lock-down and curfew in the State as part of measures to check the spread of covid 19 in the State.
The Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, on Sunday confirmed the index case of covid 19 in the State.
Mrs. Jacinta Achonu, spokesperson of the centre, said the patient is about 45 years old and is receiving treatment at the isolation centre of the FMC.
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