Obaze kicks against ‘ill-advised’ relaxation of lockdown in Anambra
Says it ought be accompanied by aggressive in-state testing
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Former Secretary of Anambra State Government, Mr. Oseloka H. Obaze has regretted the decision of the Willie Obiano-led State Government to relax the lockdown policy in the fight against Covid-19.
In remarks attributable to Mr. Obaze, titled “ANSG’s relaxation of lockdown precipitate”, he considered the decision ill-advised.
Obaze noted that it will “have dire public health repercussions” as such decision ought to be “accompanied by aggressive in-state testing”.
He said: “I do not routinely comment on policy actions of ANSG. However, there is a time to speak up.
“While not privy to the reasons that informed Anambra State authorities relaxing it’s lockdown policy and “movement around Anambra,” I am extremely concerned that such a precipitate policy action will have dire public health repercussions, more so since it is not accompanied by aggressive in-state testing.”
The former United Nations diplomat acknowledged the debilitating effect the lockdown poses for the economy pf the state but held that the State can not afford to be blind to the total lack of census of Covid-19 which can be borne without symptoms.
He noted: “While mindful of the deleterious economic impact of a lockdown on Anambra population and businesses, I am firmly of the view that Anambra State can ill-afford to be blind to the total lack of census of asymptomatic Covid-19 carriers within the State.
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“Also, State authorities cannot ignore the attendant cumulative R-Value; that is the number of people being infected daily by such unidentified infected persons.
“Neither can Anambra authorities ignore the fact that coronavirus is invisible, nimble, has trans-boundary capacity, and will spread exponentially.
“Anambra State authorities must draw evidence-based lessons from Kano State that went from zero to 47 cases in less than one week, and thus take extreme measures to protect its population.”
Consequently, he warned the Anambra State authorities to be cognizant that allowing even one or two unidentified, untested carriers unfettered access to Anambra’s general population, local communities, markets and churches, will certainly and needlessly precipitate a public health crisis in the days ahead.
“I pray earnestly that I am wrong!” he added.
