…Gives Food Items to Prisons, Needy, Motherless Babies Homes
In its move to help contain the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Abia State, the Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), has donated hand washing machines to Abia State Government, the Nigerian Army and the Aba Area Command of the Nigeria Police.
The chamber also donated food items and other household items which includes; rice, beans, tomatoes, noodles, canned fish, soaps and sanitizer to inmates at the Aba Correction Centre, motherless babies’ homes and the needy at different locations in Aba.
ACCIMA President, Sir Lawrence Obetta, stated that aim is to support the state government in its effort at providing for members of the society, especially the less privileged, who need help in these trying times, including those in the correction centre.
He commended the government of Abia State and its ministerial committee on COVID-19 for their efforts at containing the coronavirus pandemic in the state, the Army and other security agencies for maintaining law and order in the State.
Obetta led ACCIMA delegation to the Government House, Umuhia, where he presented the hand washing machine to the Secretary to Abia State Government (SSG), Barrister Chris Ezem who is also chairman of Abia Ministerial Committee on COVID-19, states.
He said, “We are here again to thank the government of Abia state and the state’s inter-ministerial committee on COVID-19 on the efforts they have made so far in containing the spread of the deadly coronavirus pandemic in Abia State.
“We were here recently to donate food items, soaps and sanitizers to support the committee. We are here again to donate a hand washing machine to the government to boost the campaign of regular washing of hands.
“We want to commend you again for the wonderful work that you are doing in the state. Governor Ikpeazu has remained firm in managing this pandemic within our state. We also learnt that two index positive cases in the state have been managed and discharged, we thank God for that.”
While briefing the SSG on its distribution of palliatives to the less privileged in Aba and environs, the ACCIMA president also stated that the chamber also donated hand washing machines to the 14 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia and the Aba area command of the Nigeria Police.
“The machine we are donating to the state and other agencies of government, was manufactured by a member of the chamber, so the machine is “made-in-Aba”, it was not imported.
Responding, Chris Ezem, secretary to Abia state government, appreciated ACCIMA for the gesture and love for the people of Abia state, describing its commitment to the fight against COVID-19, as unparallel and unequalled.
He said, “You’ve shown much dedication, you’ve shown so much concern, you have devoted your time and professionalism in different aspects and that was what has led to your manufacturing of this hand washing machine.
“I commend you for this selfless effort, I commend you for that display of great statesmanship and show of love, because what you are doing is to bring to bear what you know in the collective effort to fight COVID-19.
“Beyond that, I want to equally urge you, knowing fully well that the chamber of commerce encompasses our commercial life in Abia state, do help us to be ambassadors in the fight against COVID-19, as it affects your members and customers.
“Impress it on them to comply with the protocols of covid-19. Just like we’ve directed that market should open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Also inform them to maintain the minimum space required, to wear their facemasks and possibly too, to wear their hand gloves, as commercial life requires exchange of one document, monies or other things.
“Safety measures must be taken at all levels. Social distancing is very important, as they trade, as specified by government.
“We want to reduce to barest minimum any outlet that will make us lose the gains we have made in the last few months, as we device measures to fight this pandemic.
“The good news like you said is that our two index cases have done well and turned negative. Our contact tracing and samples that we sent to laboratories in Ebonyi and Delta have come out negative.
“As it stands today, our medical staff and protocol teams are doing well , they are on top of their jobs and government itself is giving all the support it needs to them in ensuring that nothing is left undone in the quest to fight this global pandemic.
“I want to urge you, as one of the greatest bodies in the state, to help us to mobilize your members to comply with all the protocols of COVID-19 in the state.”
Commander 14 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Brigadier General Solomon Kumapayi, who was elated at the donation, said that the machine would boost their efforts at containing the dreaded virus in the barrack.
According to him, “If this pandemic hits the barrack it will spread like wildfire, because we are many and in a cluster. This donation is well appreciated. We are all happy.”
He assured that the Army will continue to collaborate with ACCIMA and every other stakeholder in crime fighting, stressing that the chamber of commerce plays critical role in security.
