Abia tightens Ebola checks and approves N1m each for 130 South Africa returnees
- Abia says it has stepped up Ebola prevention after an index case was reported in Nigeria.
- The state will pay N1 million each to 130 returnees from South Africa and fly home 100 more.
- Families of Abians who died in the attacks will also get support, though reports differ on the amount.
Abia State has moved to keep Ebola out, saying it has put preventive steps and a health advisory in place after an index case of the disease was reported in Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, announced the measures on Tuesday in Umuahia after the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Alex Otti.
Kanu said the state Ministry of Health issued the guidelines in its Week 43 health advisory, and that health and information officials joined a meeting called by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, on the federal response.
Residents were told not to panic. Kanu urged them to keep good hygiene and avoid large crowds where possible, and said the Ministry of Health and the Abia State Orientation Agency will run a joint public awareness campaign.
“Ebola virus disease can be serious and even life-threatening, but can be prevented as well,” Kanu said.
The Sun reported that the disease is currently affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo, where more than 4,000 cases have been reported. The other outlets did not give that figure.
N1m each for returnees
The government also approved help for Abians caught up in xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
Kanu said 130 eligible returnees will get N1 million each, including those who paid their own way home. That adds to the N1 million each already paid to 31 returnees, taking the number of beneficiaries above 160.
The approval also covers screening and airlifting of 100 stranded Abians, plus transport to their final destinations. They are expected back in Nigeria in November, with the exact date to be announced later.
The Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection has received 12 returnees in three batches and reunited them with their families, Kanu said. A long-term reintegration plan covering livelihoods and economic empowerment is being developed.
The outlets differ on support for bereaved families. The Whistler reported N2 million for each family of an Abian who died in the attacks, while The Sun put it at N20 million and said the total package was about N390 million. The government has not clarified the figure in these reports.
Roads and assault cases
Kanu also gave updates on other council decisions. He said 51 direct-labour road sites are running, three are finished and two new projects were added to the maintenance list, including the 31.4-kilometre Isieketa-Ntigha Road across Obingwa, Isiala Ngwa North and Isiala Ngwa South.
At the Nchedo Sexual Assault and Referral Centre, he said 17 cases are in court and two convictions were secured in July.
What happens next: The awareness campaign is expected to begin across the state, and the 100 returnees are due in Nigeria next month. Abians should watch for the health advisory and keep up basic hygiene.
