A/Ibom govt seeks Navy's increased patrol of shorelines

Akwa Ibom State Government has called on the Nigerian Navy to heighten its patrol of the shorelines in the state.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Uyo on measures taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the state, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Dominic Ukpong said the shorelines in the state are the longest in the country and within the jurisdiction of the Navy.

Ukpong stated that the Navy's support to check the influx of foreigners would reduce the chances of infected persons gaining illegal entry into the state.

He further directed the 31 local government Chairmen in the state to set up emergency response task force to monitor and report suspected cases to the relevant authorities.

"We call on the Nigerian Navy to heighten their patrol of our shorelines; which are under their jurisdiction, to check the influx of foreigners into the state and reduce the chances of infected persons gaining illegal entry into the state.

"We have directed the Chairmen of all Local Government areas to set up emergency response task force to monitor and promptly report suspected cases," he said.

He explained that the government has mandated a task force to monitor the gatherings of more than 10 persons, including churches, marriage/funeral ceremonies, and other ceremonies to observe the prescribed social distance.

He added that the government was relying more on preventive measures to curtail the onslaught of the virus, adding that noncompliance will necessitate an immediate shutdown of such facilities by the government.