With the directive by the Edo State Government to the 18 local councils to step up effort in checking the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Chairmen of the local councils have intensified campaigns to complement the effort by the state government to check the spread of COVID-19 in the state.

While inaugurating a 20-man Local Government Taskforce Committee on COVID-19 management, the Chairman of Uhunmwode Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Napoleon Agbama, said the committee will ensure residents are sensitized on precautionary measures put in place by the Federal and State Ministries of Health to check the spread of COVID-19.

Agbama tasked members of the committee, Heads of Primary Healthcare Centres, and other health workers on the need for collaboration to check the spread of COVID-19 in communities across the LGA.

Chairman of the Owan West LGA Hon. Frank Ilaboya who heads the council’s Task Force on COVID-19, said the team will monitor, supervise and coordinate the council’s response to COVID-19, noting, “The purpose of the team, first of all, is to alert our people that coronavirus is real. Secondly, we are also to enlighten them on the preventive measures and let them know that it is not a death sentence.”

Chairman, Ikpoba-Okha LGA, Dr. Eric Osayande directed the council’s treasury department to release funds for the purchase of more prevention kits to be distributed to residents of the council area, assuring that the council is prepared to check the spread of the scourge in the area.

In Akoko Edo LGA, the council chairman, Hon. Don Oteh Umoru, urged residents to assist government in checking the spread of COVID-19, as he assured that face masks, sanitizers and other materials to combat contacting the virus will be distributed.

On his part, Chairman, Ovia North East LGA, Hon. Scott Ogbemudia, visited motor parks and markets within the area where traders and members of the road transport union were sensitized on the preventive measures to curb the spread of the dreadful COVID-19.

He urged residents in the area to provide information relating to persons who return from Europe, America or Asia in the last 30 days, by giving the details of such persons, including their phone numbers to the committee.