COVID-19: People entering Delta despite lockdown, Activist raises alarm

Elo Edremoda, Warri

An activist in Delta state, Amb. Princewill Binebai has raised alarm over the movement of people into the state in spite of the 14-day lockdown declared by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

Binebai, while noting that the virus may be “sneaked” in through such persons, in a signed statement, he called on the state government to enforce total border closure.

According to him, these persons flouting the lockdown directive come into the state by “crooked means,” under the watch of security operatives assigned to enforce the order.

He pointed out that the essence of the lockdown, which is to contain the spread of COVID-19, would have been defeated if movement into the state persists.

“What if those who had sneaked into our state through the borders before the very eyes of security agents have sneaked in with the virus, who will be held responsible?

“We must be very careful as a people. Only one mistake may just spoil everything both the government and citizens are doing to ensure that Delta State does not record any case of the virus until the disease will fade away.

“Security agencies and even the government must not be looking at one way only without looking at other more important areas like the total closure of the borders.

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“In Bayelsa state, it is only the borders that are closed, as citizens goes about their normal duties, except for large gatherings. My opinion is that the security agents must not allow any pin to enter into our state through the borders,” the activist said.

He further commended Deltans for the level of compliance thus far, stating his agreement with the stay-at-home order.

Amb. Binebai however, expressed concern that the Delta State Government is yet to dole out palliative measures to help vulnerable residents of the state cope with the lockdown.

“It is not enough to give directives to the masses. The Government must take responsibility in providing for citizens of our state. This is the right time to meet the people at their needs.

“It is very strange that up till now, the Delta State Government has not even shared food items nor preventive materials to citizens of the state, this is really bad,” he stated.