Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel has warned indigenes with symptoms of COVID-19 residing outside the state to stay where they are.
Emmanuel issued the warning at the weekend during a live interactive session monitored by our correspondent on Uyo on the State Government’s official facebook account.
According to the Governor, the entry of indigenes from other places into the state was responsible for its current toll of 35 COVID-19 positive cases.
Emmanuel also lamented the influx of indigenes and non-indigenes with COVID-19 symptoms has overstretched the government’s finances in terms of contact tracing, testing and quarantining.
“We are not discriminating but if you are in indigene of the state listening to me from outside the state, you have testing centres and medical experts there.
“They can help you there in terms of contact tracing, testing and quarantining because that is your place of primary residence.
“Rather than give us stress remain where you are. We are ready and willing to collaborate with your place of residence instead of coming into the state the cost for us,” he said.
The Governor hinted at the possible reopening of churches, adding he has asked the leadership of the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) to work out guidelines and modalities.
He frowned at heads of ministries, departments.and.agencies(MDA) who have flouted government directive on the 30 percent staff quota for the running of their MDAs.
Emmanuel threatened to ‘punish’ any head of MDA found be operating with more than 30 percent of his or her workforce.