Anambra Total Lockdown: Partial Compliance In Some Major Cities

Awka, the Capital City of Anambra state witnessed partial compliance to the total lockdown order issued by the State Government.

Correspondents Chibuzor Okoye, Blessing Ijedibia and Chris Chimezie monitored the compliance order and filed report that a little before the expiration of the two weeks closure of the major markets order by the Anambra State Government in order to ensure that Coronavirus does not enter into the State.

The State Government has issued another fourteen days total lockdown of the State as a result of its first record of COVID-19, in order to trace, track and quarantine all the people who must have had any contact with the patient.

How is the compliance level of the order in Awka metropolis? ABS news crew observed that most of the streets in Awka were empty, with few people roaming the streets visited, unlike before. It equally noticed that inter-state commercial transporters still surreptitiously navigate across the State, through Udoka Housing Estate, Kwata Slaughter Market, Court Road, Eke Awka down to Amansea before crossing over to Enugu State. Buses, shuttle buses and tricycles that normally convey passengers within Awka metropolis were hardly seen on the road.

ABS further observed that almost all the markets in Awka were under lock. Some
pharmaceutical shops were locked, while others were still serving the public as at the time of filing this report, the popular Kwata Slaughter Market Awka, was equally rendering skeletal services to the people.

Commenting on the development, a trader in Awka, Mr. Stephen Ike from Ufuma and John Amadi from Orlu, Imo State commended the Anambra State Government for the proactive steps it has taken so far, but regretted that their greatest challenge is hunger occasioned by the lockdown, and appealed for assistance from all and sundry.

However, the commercial city of Onitsha and its adjoining communities have complied appreciably to the state government directive on total lockdown to prevent the spread of the dreaded COVID 19 pandemic.

Staff reporter Blessing ijedibia who monitored the level of compliance from Umuoji to Eke Nkpor, Nkpor junction ,MCC and Upper Iweka axis observed that the area looked deserted as all stores,shops and other business were under luck and key.

The popular Nkpor Motor Park was locked with few security men maning the area.

At the ever busy Nkpor Junction few vehicle were see searching for passengers in apprehensive manner with fear of being apprehended by law enforcement agencies, The ever busy pedestrian bridge at the MCC axis of Upper iweka was a ghost of its self as even the beggars deserted the bridge in their numbers Upper Iweka that houses many motor parks was empty as the owners obeyed the directive on total lockdown.

Commenting on the development Mr Chukwudi Igwe and Emmunel Ozoemenam said though the lockdown was aimed at safe guarding lives measures should be taken to cushion the effect on the citizenry.
In the commercial city of Nnewi according to our correspondent Chris Chimezie , people were seen plying the roads at will notwithstanding the barricades put in place by security operatives.