By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Anambra Civil Society Network has expressed concern over alleged infiltration of the state with corpses and travellers from all parts of the country despite the border closure and presence of heavy security personnel.
The network, in statement signed by is Chairman, Prince Chris Azor; Secretary, Barr. Chisom Chude; and Head, Media and Publicity, Deacon Alfred Ajayi, lamented that its monitoring team observed that travelers from Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and other States were gaining entrance into Anambra state daily.
Governor Willie Obiano had ordered security personnel and his political appointees to shutdown and man all the boundaries between the state and her neighbouring states of Enugu, Imo, Delta, Kogi, Abia, Rivers.
“Also corpses of purported Anambra citizens brought home for burial, occupied most of the boundary check points, with attendant challenges of clearance processes by State officials. The Network is equally worried about cases of infiltration, through the State boundaries, even as security has been beefed up, by deploying Special aides and youth groups to support conventional security,” it revealed.
The Network further expressed displeasure over what it termed “seeming doubts among some citizens and residents, especially rural dwellers, about the existence of COVID-19,” adding that many citizens both in rural communities and city centres defied the curfew and stayed out late leading to conflicts and arrests by law enforcement officers.
“We witnessed scant observance by citizens, of the guidelines on social and physical distancing, especially in markets, eateries, wine and sundry drinking bars. The Network also observed flagrant disregard for compulsory wearing of face masks in markets and motor parks as well as banking premises, where there were obvious inadequate arrangements for operational efficiency. Reports also, indicate that citizens compliance with government's ban on public gathering in the past week, was weak.
“Commercial Banks operated skeletal services, and this frustrated a lot of customers. In several cases ATM machines either malfunctioned and/or didn't dispense cash to customers. Some of the banks couldn't provide adequate banking services, thereby forcing citizens to use only available branches in operation, resulting in chaos at different bank premises. Lack of harmonized and properly coordinated enlightenment on guidelines to citizens on the timelines and procedures for easing the lockdown and other protocols, were of concern.
It therefore, urged the State government to as a matter of urgency, beef up security at the entry points into the State to help checkmate continued inter-state movement and, possible spread of COVID19, through community transmissions.
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