Seek out sick returnees: LG boss urges COVID-19 Taskforce

By Uzo Ugwunze

Ojoto (Idemili South LGA), June 11, 2020 (MOI) Transition Committee Chairman, Idemili South Local Government Area, Mr Don Unachukwu has appealed to COVID-19 taskforce to endeavour to `fish out sick’ returnees from communities.

Taskforce members were recently constituted at Local Government and Political Ward levels with mandate to keep watch over their communities in identifying COVID-19 patients among them.

Mr Unachukwu made the call while addressing newsmen at the Local Government Secretariat, Ojoto, saying that in spite of interstate boarder lockdown people were still sneaking in and out of communities.

He commended proactive measures taken by Gov. Willie Obiano in combating the pandemic in the state, regarding it as second to none in the entire Federation.

``The latest strategy is the formation of the COVID-19 taskforce at local government and ward levels with the major task of fishing out infiltrators who may defy the interstate lockdown.

``It is a laudable venture; Idemili South has 12 wards within the seven communities of the LGA. Each ward is directed to form a 5-member taskforce.

``The five members include Transition member/councilor (leader), Youth leader, Women leader, WDC member of the Primary Healthcare Centre and a neutral person which must be a woman.

``The parent body, LG COVID-19 taskforce is made up of 11 members headed by me the Chairman; others are PRO, HOD Health, HOD Environmental Health and Social Mobilisation Officer, Health.

``The Taskforce, especially at ward level is to go about fishing out those who have come into the community from other states and alert the authorities for proper testing, especially if the person is sick.

``They are closer to the people. They know the neighbourhood and can easily recognise new faces. If they are suspicious or wary, they should report to the appropriate authority.

``It will be cumbersome to carry the testing kits about from house to house. If the taskforce takes the job seriously, I think Anambra will be safeguarded from spread of COVID-19 infection,’’ Unachukwu said.

Meanwhile, some of the councilors said that they had submitted names of COVID-19 taskforce formed at the various wards to the LG boss.

They suggested that the taskforce members would need more orientation with regards to their responsibilities, so as not to incur the wrath of community members or cause embarrassments.

Councilor Oba Ward 2, Mr Chukwuemeka Obienu said that he had been sensitising the people on the need to continue implementing personal preventive measures.

Also, Councilor representing Oba Ward 1, Mr Ebuka Chibueze suggested that community members and the Taskforce team would need more orientation on their duties for efficiency and effectiveness.

Councilor representing Ojoto Ward 1, Mr Uche Mozie said that they were still expecting further directives from the state and LG until it was noted that there was no suspected COVID-19 case in Ojoto.