Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, has called for a review of the 14 days total lockdown in the State.
Governor Udom Emmanuel in a statewide broadcast on Thursday ordered a total lockdown of the state, directing cessation of movement and prohibition of all kinds of gatherings.
But CLO in a statement by its Chairman, Franklyn Isong, on Friday said the review became necessary because there was no prior notice to enable people stock up for the lockdown.
Isong said though the organization was in support of the lockdown as it is aimed at curbing further spread of the disease beyond the five confirmed cases, he, however, added that government ought to have given at least 24 hours notice to the citizens.
“While CLO is in total support of any action taken by Governor Udom Emmanuel, to trace the contacts of all affected persons, and curb further spread of the coronavirus, CLO however, believes that the 14 days total lockdown to commence on Friday morning of April 3, 2020, should have come with, at least, a prior short notice of 24 hours, if not, 48 hours to the people to ensure adequate preparation by the people and residents of the State.
“CLO, therefore, calls on the State Governor to review the order to accommodate a short notice to the people and communicate same to security agencies.
“CLO urges Akwa Ibom Governor to consider its prayers so that Akwa Ibom people can use the short period of the notice to stock up, make necessary arrangement and get themselves prepared for the total lockdown of the state,”he said
Isong said the people were taken unaware because while the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control on Wednesday, April 2, 2020, announced the result of the five index cases, the Commissioner of Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, at a press conference, the following day gave the impression that the result did not emanate from NCDC
“The NCDC test result came out at about 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
” In the afternoon of Thursday, April 2, 2020, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Dominic Ukpong, faulted the report in a well-circulated press release he personally signed thus giving the impression that the result did not emanate from the NCDC” he added
