By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Governor of the South East states of the federation have been asked to move quickly to shut down their borders to safeguard the region from the coronavirus pandemic.
This call was made by a pressure group known as the South East Revival Group (SERG) in a statement issued on Sunday by its President and National Coordinator, Mr Willy Ezugwu.
Mr Ezugwu said it has been very expedient that the Governors close the borders to avert major calamity waiting to happen if there is a community outbreak of the dreaded Coronavirus disease in the east.
“Following the upsurge of confirmed COVID-19 cases, particularly in the north, a total lockdown of eastern borders has become very necessary to keep the South East region safer and ensure that Coronavirus disease does not spread any further in the states.
“For those who are yet to take the pandemic seriously, the death of the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari should have driven home to fact that COVID-19 is not a respecter of class or personality. Both the poor and the rich have died from the disease.
“We are at war with a global pandemic that has claimed lives in their thousands even in countries with sophisticated health system.
“In every war situation, drastic measures only are taken with a view to coming out triumphant.
“We commend all efforts the governors have taken so far to curtail the spread of the dreaded disease in the region.
“It’s cheering to receive the news that Enugu State Government has successfully managed the cases in the state and have discharged all patients.
“Imo State have been able to remain free from the pandemic, just as Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra states have done exceptionally well.
“However, it’s said that prevention is better than cure. In view of the present realities, one of the most needful preventive measures at this moment is a total closure of all eastern states borders with other states,” the statement said.
The group also called on the five state Governors of the region to set up a regional COVID-19 intervention fund, where all sons and daughters of South East extraction can donate funds to provide succour to the residents of the region during the lockdown and equip hospitals.
According to SERG, “It has become most expedient now that the federal government tactically excluded the South East from any meaningful palliatives disbursement.
“The reality is that the South East region is an abandoned geographical area by the federal government, with little or no attention paid to the people of the zone.
“Our hospitals lack the capacity to handle high number of infections and through the regional pool funds, the South East can begin to equip hospitals in the zone ahead of any eventuality.
“When established, we urge all sons and daughters of the South East extraction with means, both at home and abroad, to donate generously to the fund to assist governments in the zone to overcome the Coronavirus pandemic.”
Adedapo Adesanya