The Abia State Government says it has strengthened measures to prevent the spread of Ebola virus disease (EVD) into the state following the reported confirmation of an index case in Nigeria.

The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia.

Mr Kanu said the State Ministry of Health had put in place preventive protocols and issued a health advisory outlining measures to control the disease.

He said the state’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Information participated in a meeting convened by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate, to discuss the federal government’s response and efforts to contain the disease.

The commissioner said that the ministry of health also issued preventive guidelines in its Week 43 health advisory.

He urged residents to remain calm, maintain good hygiene and exercise caution, including avoiding large gatherings where possible.

Mr Kanu added that the ministry of health, in collaboration with the Abia State Orientation Agency, would begin a joint public enlightenment campaign to sensitise residents on Ebola prevention.

The commissioner also announced that Governor Alex Otti had approved funds for the evacuation and reintegration of Abia indigenes affected by xenophobic attacks in South Africa.

He said that the approval covered the screening and airlifting of 100 stranded returnees, as well as transportation to their final destinations after arriving in Nigeria.

According to him, the government will provide N1 million each to 130 eligible returnees, including those who independently funded their return.

He said the assistance would complement the earlier payment of N1 million each to 31 returnees, bringing the number of beneficiaries to over 160.

Mr Kanu added that the government approved N2 million for each family of Abia indigenes who died during the attacks.

He said that the 100 returnees awaiting evacuation were expected in Nigeria in November, while the exact date would be announced later.

The commissioner said that the ministry of poverty alleviation and social protection also coordinated the reception of 12 returnees in three batches and facilitated their reunification with their families in different locations.

He said that the state government was developing a long-term reintegration programme to address their livelihood, economic empowerment and other identified needs.

On the Nchedo Sexual Assault and Referral Centre, Mr Kanu said that 17 cases were currently before the courts, while two convictions were secured in July.

He said that the development underscored the Abia State government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable persons and promoting access to justice and social protection.

The commissioner said that the state had 51 direct-labour road project locations, three of which had been completed, while two new projects were added to the ministry of works’ maintenance programme.

He listed the completed projects as the rehabilitation of internal roads at the Nigerian Navy College of Accounts and Finance, Owerrinta; construction of Green Avenue Spot in Aba; and construction of Road 4, Area 5, Agbama Housing Estate, Umuahia.

He identified the new projects as the construction of St. Vincent de Paul, Umuafai, in the Umuahia North Local Government Area, and the maintenance of the 31.4-kilometre Isieketa-Ntigha Road.

He said that the Isieketa-Ntigha Road traversed Obingwa, Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Areas.

Mr Kanu said that 24 road projects were currently under contract, adding that work had gradually resumed at several sites following improved weather conditions.

He said that one of the projects, the 12.6-kilometre Ohanze-Ntighauzo-Obete-Umuoha-Obereta-Akirika Obu Road, had been completed, adding that the road linked Obingwa and Ukwa East Local Government Areas.

(NAN)