Abia opens Coronavirus sample collection at IDH Aba

June 29, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

Abia government has begun Coronavirus infection test sample collection at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) at Alex Onyeador Close off Industry road, Aba for residents in the city.

Abia government had on June 15 declared, Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state the COVID-19 epicenter of Abia.

Mrs Happiness Akpulonu, Acting Coordinator, Aba COVID-19 Sample Collection Centre  disclosed this in an interview with our Correspondent in her office on Monday.

 She said that the test which begun at the beginning of June 2020 was initiated to reduced the stress of residents in Aba going to Umuahia to get tested.

“We started collection of samples at the beginning of June and we have collected close to 100 samples.

“I do not know how many that have tested positive from the samples we collected because what we do here is basically to collect the samples and then transport them to the virology laboratory.

“Any other thing concerning the results goes to the Incident Manager; it is not for us.

“People in Aba are really coming out to get tested especially those who had contact with positive cases or suspected positive cases; people who are not positive do come for tests also”, she said.

She said people experiencing symptoms like COVID-19, call NCDC office line through which they are directed to come there if they are within Aba and its environs to lessen the stress of going to Umuahia.

Akpulonu lamented that Aba residents are die-hard people, many of who insist that COVID-19 does not exist in Aba even in the face of the community spread of the disease.

“But I want Aba residents to know that COVID-19 exists and it is actually happening now. 

“And now in this period that we have community transmission where people who are carriers may not show the symptoms.

“It is advisable for everybody to stay on the safe side and do those things that could prevent one from contacting Coronavirus”, she said.

Akpulonu said the tests are free for everybody stressing that the tests are done with kits using swab sticks while expressing hope that the Centre may get Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine later.

Declare state of emergency on hard drugs - Ikpeazu’s aide tells govts

June 28, 2020  

By Ijendu Iheaka

Mr David Anyanwu, an aide to Gov Okezie Ikpeazu has called on governments in Nigeria to declare state of emergency on hard drug dealings and consumption of psychotropic substances. 

Anyanwu, a Special Assistant to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu on Drugs and Narcotics said that such action against hard drugs abuse and peddling would save Nigeria from crime resulting from abuse of hard drugs.

He noted that hard drug abuse had been fingered in the rape of women and minors, killing of parents, spouses and siblings, kidnappings and robberies and other heinous crimes and criminality in the land.

He said that research having shown most people who commit major crimes worldwide are found to have done so under the influence of drugs, taking drastic steps against the drug scourge would abate crime rates.

Anyanwu made this call in an interview with our Correspondent in Aba on Sunday in response to United Nations International Day against Drug Abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

He commended the declaration of state of emergency against rape by Nigerian Governors Forum but noted that the problem would possibly continue if not destroyed from its roots which is mostly drug abuse.

“The declaration of state of emergency against rape in Nigeria is a welcomed development.

“But I am of the opinion that such state of emergency should also be declared on drug dealings and consumption of psychotropic substances. 

“This has become germane from the point of view that for anyone to solve any problem, he must get to its roots”, he said.

 Anyanwu said that the involvement of some wealthy people in drugs and drug abuse was dealing a heavy blow to the fight against hard drugs in society.

He therefore called for “a strong political will from governments”to face the problem head on if other crimes in the country must be reduced.

“There should also be strong legislation against drug trafficking, consumption and related offenses. 

“National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) should be strengthened and its operational sphere extended to local communities and hinterlands.

“There should be rehabilitation centres both for rapist and drug addicts throughout the states of the federation and FCT as it is clear that the culprits act from a mentally unstable condition”.

The governor’s aide suggested the addition of drug education in school curriculum and federal government’s introduction of compulsory random forensic drug test for job seekers into public and private sectors.

Anyanwu also urged parents and the judiciary to apply more preventive and punitive measures to check drug abuse and peddling in Nigeria.

He said every necessary step to check drug abuse and peddling in the country would be worth the while hence it is clear that a drug free society would be a substantially crime free society.

NDLEA arrests 288 drug offenders in Abia between January and June 2020

June 25, 2020 

By Ijendu Iheaka

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) arrested 288 drug offenders in Abia between January and June 2020, the state Commander has said.

The Abia Commander, Bamidele Akingbade disclosed this during a press briefing to mark the 2020 International Day Against Drug Abuse  and Illicit Drug Trafficking commemorated every June 25, in Aba on Thursday.

Akingbade said that this year’s theme is “Better Knowledge for a Better Care” which aims at increased enlightenment to the world of the dangers of drug abuse and trafficking to ensure better care for drug dependent persons.

“This year we will not be organizing a rally in view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic which is currently ravaging the country and the state in order to comply with social distancing rules.

“Between January and June 2020, we have arrested 263 male suspects and 25 female suspects totaling 288 suspects.

“We have convicted 21 suspects while we have 35 pending cases in court.

“Four vehicles we impounded have also been finally forfeited to the federal government while two are under interim forfeiture for being used by the drug gangs”, he said.

“Within the period under review, we have seized almost 400 kg of illicit substances.

“We have seized 399.5 kg of illicit substances consisting of  347.420 kg of Cannabis, 0.086 kg of Cocaine and 0.210 of Heroin and 50.309 kg of psychotropic substances  and 2 kg of Monkey Tail.

“We have alerted the state government that during the lockdown, following the traveling restrictions, some of the criminals entered the state to start cultivation of Cannabis.

“We also discovered a Cannabis farm in Achara, Arochukwu local government area, although we are yet to ascertain the the number of acres, it covers, but we have got a sample of the plant”, he said.

Akingbade said the agency had also counseled about 66 drug dependent persons with 65 males and one female within the ages of 22 to 44 years at its rehabilitation Centre.

He lamented the take over of some secondary and primary schools in the state by criminal drug gangs following closure of schools because of COVID-19 infections.

He said the agency was doing its best to ensure such criminals were flushed out from the schools and from such market places as Ahia Ohuru, Ariaria Black Kingdom and the Milverton road Motor park.

He said that some suspects were arrested in Umuahia for engaging in drug businesses that ruin the lives of youths while warning youths to desist from use of drugs to save the state the problem of increased COVID-19 cases.

He warned that drug users do not have a good chance of surviving Coronavirus infection hence the need for drug dependent persons to desist from drugs which effects compounds COVID-19 infections.

Akingbade pleaded with the Abia government to assist the agency with  vehicles hindering the maximum operations to enable them reach many corners of the state where drugs are being done.

He also begged the state government for funding to ensure their rehabilitation Centre takes in more persons and avail more drug dependent persons of a better livelihood opportunity.

Flood: Aba residents appeal to Abia govt for assistance

June 25, 2020 

By Ijendu Iheaka

Residents of Ukwu-Mango area near Ife-Obara basin in Aba, Abia, have cried out to the state government to save them from disaster resulting from a failed pump at the basin.

Abia government had in 2017 reconstructed the basin with a pump in the bid to collect storm water from Ariaria area, move it to Ife-Obara and then to Aba river but the pump failed.

The pump’s failure had resulted in the sack of many residents of the area from their homes following a continuous down pour for about three days in the area.

The flood halted commercial activities as well as human and vehicular movement around the Ifeobara basin which should take off storm water from Ariaria International Market and environs.

Akuchi Egbe, a resident of the area said the flooding of the area had persisted for many years, but escalated with the overflowing of the Ifeobara Basin following many days of downpour.

She said the 5.6 kilometer drainage system Abia government built at Ifeobara Basin to pump storm water from Ariaria area to the Aba river is not functioning, as weed has taken over the entire basin.

She said the business of residents had crumbled as the customers of residents who produce their wares from their homes and shops in the area were no longer patronizing them

Moses Igwe, another resident told our reporter that they have tried their best to tackle the flood in their own way but the situation had overwhelmed their efforts.

He said that the flood sacked many families, submerged homes and made it extremely difficult for families to even come out from their homes after rains.

"From Omuma road, the abattoir at Old Express, down to Francis Street, Olumba Street and the whole of this Ukwu Mango, no place is safe from flood, we are living in a disaster zone. 

"The Ifeobara Basin government always talk of on radio as pumping water to Aba river is not functioning; there nothing like pumping water from here to Aba river. 

"If there's anything government sincerely do to save us from the bad situation let them do it because people are already running away from their homes here”, he said.

Charity Ilomuanya, another resident stressed that the flood around the area was destroying their means of livelihood and their houses and properties.

us. 

“Residents are loosing important properties to flood each time it rains and the situation has made us hopeless. 

"We don't know what is going to happen tonight when the next rain comes. 

“There is an ECWA church at Olumba Street, go there now, nobody even comes there to worship again. 

“It has been submerged since the rain started and the flood has destroyed almost everything inside there. 

"I plead with the Abia government to please come and save us because we have suffered enough here”, she said.

NGO demands justice for Abia people kill during lockdown

June 18, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, (FENRAD), an NGO on Thursday demanded justice for Abia residents killed during COVID-19 lockdown enforcement.

The group in a petition to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abia, requested the prosecution of security agents who allegedly killed innocent residents during the lockdown.

They also demanded to know the “the fate, state and stage of prosecution of some security agents taken into custody for suspected extrajudicial killings during the lockdown enforcement recently”.

The press release was signed by Mr Nelson Nwafor, the Executive Director, Mr Olusegun Bamgbose, Head Legal Team, FENRAD.

The body which said it is  guided by the doctrine of justice and human rights recalled that some Abia residents were murdered in Aba, Ohafia and Isiala Ngwa by security agents enforcing lockdown rules recently.

The group recalled that in the month of April within Aba and Ohafia and a Isiala Ngwa axis, deaths occurred through the gun of security agencies enforcing lockdown compliance. 

They said that the knowledge and particulars of the cases had remained in public domain but noted that “what is sadly not made public is the fate of justice regarding same”. 

They mentioned the killing of Chibuisi Okaneme, Amobi Igwe and Ifeanyi Arunsi by Police Inspector Stanley Asu, Richard Eke of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and “the drunk policeman” at Ebem Ohafia. 

They noted that although these suspects had earlier been remanded by the State Criminal Investigation Department, (State CID), nothing had been heard since that time about their prosecution.

They said “many cases of unlawful arrest, forced detention, economic exploitation through coercion, bribery and intimidation by security agents against Abia motorists and tricycle operators, nothing was being done to try the offenders.

FENRAD reminded Commissioner for Justice that if his office did not inform Abia people of the fate of Inspector Stanley Asu; Eke Richard and “the drunk policeman”, it would be creating suspicion in the minds of Abia people.

They thanked Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, for ensuring security of lives and properties of Abia people and urged Abia AG to ensure quick dispensation of justice in matters concerning Abia state and its citizens.

“Justice, FENRAD urges, must not be seen to be done but must to the letter be done; Abians are watching and the best thing a moment like this deserves is justice for the dead, the bereaved and also the state at large. 

“To this end FENRAD calls for speedy and public trial of the named persons and as well publicity of same when done. 

“The judiciary is the last hope of the common man; such hope now hinges on what the state justice machinery can do by keeping Abians abreast and also by ensuring speedy trials”, they urged.

Abia Govt seals church, electrical plaza for violating COVID-19 protocol

June 17, 2020 

By Ijendu Iheaka

Abia government on Wednesday shut Chapel of Answers International, No 86 Jubilee Road by Kent Street Aba, for allegedly violating stipulated safety protocols on the COVID-19  pandemic.

Our Correspondent reports that the enforcement team of the Inter Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 which sealed the church was led by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Chris Ezem.

The team arrived the church during a mid-week prayer session and found its members not wearing face masks and not maintaining social distancing.

The team also sealed off an electrical plaza along Faulks road, near the Ariaria International Market.

Ezem who expressed displeasure with conduct of the traders at the Ariaria international market threatened to shut down the market if the traders and their leadership persisted in refusing to comply with COVID-19 protocols.

 

He berated Ariaria market leadership and COVID-19 Task Force in Aba for being ineffective which he said manifested in the care-free attitude of the traders in the market towards compliance with the safety rules.

“We are not doing anything that is out of place; government directives and protocols on religious worship is very explicitly, he said at the church.

“Government directive is that religious worshippers can worship on Sundays; 50 persons per stream, two persons per pew and observe social distance and other protocols.

“We made it clear that there should be no mid-week activities; Lagos State just withdrew from the opening churches and Mosques because of the events that are unfolding; We can start risking the lives of Abians. 

“Government is making every effort to ensure that the people are safe; Our numbers (of COVID-19 infected persons) are increasing by the day and it should worry you. 

“We have to be alive to continue to worship. Why would this church be going against the directives against mid-week service?

“The lives of Abians are important to the state government and I am ordering that the pastor be prosecuted for violating government directives”, Ezem said.

 He urged residents to ensure they wear their face masks, maintain social distance and sanitize their hands stressing that government does not want further spread of the disease in Abia.

He said his team visited Aba to ensure that the orders of the state government were being adhered to.

 

“On Ariaria, if we find out any breach of government directives as the condition for trading in this place, we may be forced to withdraw what we have given and order a complete lockdown of the market”, he said.

However, after few hours of sealing of the church which video went viral on the Social Media, our Correspondent visited the church and inquiries made from the worshippers confirmed that the church had been unsealed.

A young man who spoke to our Correspondent under anonymity said everything had been settled and the Church unsealed.

Group urges fixing of health infrastructure in Nigeria

June 16, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has called on President Mohammadu Buhari, 36 State governors, and other stakeholders to fix Nigeria’s health infrastructure which Coronavirus pandemic exposed as deficient.

COSEYL made the call in a statement signed by its President-General, Chief Goodluck Ibem and Secretary-General, Comrade Kanice Igwe and made available to our Correspondent in Aba on Tuesday.

The group also charged Nigerians to exact consistent and reasonable pressure on Nigerian leadership to ensure they reformed and rebuilt the nation’s health sector.

They noted that most Nigerian politicians after three or four months of  global lockdowns had remained within Nigeria because Europe, America and Asia stopped foreigners from visiting.

COSEYL said some politicians and other notable Nigerians inability to go on their usual medical vacations abroad, exposed them to local hospitals with obsolete equipment which had resulted in death of some of them.

The body said that the deaths of some prominent Nigerians/politicians not resulting from direct COVID-19 infections were avoidable had the country had well equipped and functional hospitals to serve the people.

"The question we must ask all our leaders; President, Governors, Senators, House of Representatives Members, First Class Traditional Rulers, House of Assembly Members and top clergymen is this; 

“Had COVID-19 been restricted only to our territory while Europe, Asia and America were free of it, would we have seen you around all these while? 

"Millions and if not billions are pumped into our health system every budget year, but we only have semi dead health centres to show for it. 

“Must we remain like this and do nothing after our experience with COVID-19 that's yet to even die down? l

"You can see the consequences in this COVID-19 pandemic. It is high time we started treating those who messed our health sectors up like murderers because that's what they're. 

“They are making it impossible for our doctors and nurses to prove themselves here and save lives of citizens”, they said.

COSEYL praised Nigerian doctors and other health workers for their performances in the face of COVID-19 under poor working environment, and remuneration.

 

The group which condemned the wasteful spending of current Nigerian leaders in the face of dilapidated health infrastructure urged Nigerians to stop the leaders from using foreign hospitals at the detriment of Nigerians.

It urged the people to meet their town leaders, traditional rulers, representatives both in federal and state legislatures and to speak to them them where necessary through priests, pastors and imams.

"Write it on placards, display it in church services for the priests to see and speak out, and in mosques display it to the president and his team, to your representatives whenever they come to tell you about political ambitions

"Display it to your governors whenever they boast of what they've done, display it to your wealthy brothers to remember that as they're spending money building hotels, private universities and churches, let them know that hospitals are also wonderful investments. 

"Demand just one thing which is overhauling of your major hospitals and immediate improvement of all of them. 

“We cannot watch ourselves die like chickens when we know we have a solution; after COVID-19, other diseases like malaria are still with us”, they said.

Govt declares Aba epicenter of Coronavirus in Abia, to monitor churches, mosques- Kalu

June 15, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

Abia government has declared Aba, the state’s commercial hub, a red zone and epicenter of Coronavirus following the spike in number of coronavirus positive samples emanating from the city.

Chief Okeiyi Kalu, Abia Information Commissioner disclosed this while answering questions during Magic FM radio Aba phone-in Programme on COVID-19 update in the state.

Abia with a which recorded 15 new cases on Sunday moved to the 16th position on the log of states with highest Coronavirus cases in Nigeria having had a total of 166 confirmed infections.

Meanwhile, with all the numbers of positive cases, only 3 persons have been  reportedly nursed back to health and released from isolation Centre which is compounding Abia’s case with very few spaces for confirmed cases.

The Commissioner decried Aba residents’ non-challant attitude adding that they vehemently refuse obeying government directives on COVID-19 including wearing face masks and observing social distancing.

Kalu who said such attitude had thrown the city into a grave danger blamed churches and mosques for refusing to adhere to simple directives or telling adherents what is right to do.

He noted that reports coming from Aba Central Mosque, at Hospital road was very dangerous and worrisome for everyone in COVID-19 era.

He said that Abia Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19 has directed the Aba South Local Government TC Chairman to directly enforce regulations at the mosque on Friday and during other prayer sessions.

Kalu further said that many health workers in Aba may have been infected with coronavirus as a result of attending to infected people unknowingly without full protection.

"At the moment, Abia is having more samples than any other state in the South East which is good, because unless we identify where this problem is coming from, we may not be able to deal with it. 

"We’ve done our mapping by local government and one thing is clear to us; majority of the new cases are coming from the Aba area and it's alarming. 

"It looks like all the sensitization, all the efforts made by the media have not worked because Aba people continued to violate the regulations with regards to Face Masks wearing, Social Distancing and avoiding gatherings.

"Even the churches are part of the problem we're facing now; It looks like Aba is a very red location for Covid-19 infection and all hands should be on deck now to stop the spread there.

"What we've discovered is that some people have continued to violate the rules especially the mosque at Hospital road by Mosque Street; that particular Mosque is a very dangerous zone right now”, he said.

Kalu regretted that people were busy endangering themselves and others instead of all residents working together to stop the spread of the virus. 

He said that facts emanating from the level of infection of health workers in the city was very disturbing hence the government’s unwillingness to unveil all the facts.

"The rate of infection of Medical workers in Aba is very high. Which means that a lot of COVID-19 patients are presenting themselves to hospitals and our medics are attending to them without full protection”, he said.

We joined strike to protest 15 months salary arrears owed us - Union Scribe

June 15, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

Dr Nnamdi Erondu, Secretary-General, Association of Resident Doctors, Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) Chapter said they joined the national strike to seek payment of their 15 months salary arrears.

Erondu disclosed this in an interview with our Correspondent in Aba on Monday following the decision of of ABSUTH chapter to join the strike.

He said that the chapter will not to return to work unless Abia government pays its 15 months salary arrears owed them.

“In our own teaching hospital here, (ABSUTH) we are being owed 15 months salary arrears; that is the whole hospital staff including residents doctors.

 “The last salary we received was that of February 2019 and nothing is being done about it and whenever we make inquiries, they will use government language to tell us that something is being done about it. 

“So, the parent body in its wisdom decided to include us and fight on our behalf. 

“It will be very foolish of us in Abia if we don't join the National Body in a strike that they are embarking on simply because of our collective plights”, he said. 

Erondu said that the plight of Abia resident doctors is very pitiable noting that around June 2019, the hospital called off a strike embarked on to demand 13 months salary arrears but instead of the debt reducing, it keeps mounting. 

He said that part of their local demands include payment of COVID-19 palliatives which government is giving to others, stopping harassment of Medical Doctors on duty by security agencies and poor remuneration of members.

The chapter on Monday joined its parent body, National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) to protest non-challant attitude by government towards their safety and welfare.

According to the National President, Dr Aliyu Sokomba, their grievances for the strike in the face of Coronavirus pandemic include government’s refusal to fund residency training programmes.

He also said they were demanding recall and payment of all salary arrears of 26 members sacked by Kaduna state government, payment of all salaries of all others owed across the country and to equip them with hazard protection kits.

Ukwa people kick against High Court relocation to Aba

June 11, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

 Ukwa people in Abia have criticised the relocation of the only state High Court, serving Ukwa East and Ukwa West Local Government Areas from Obehie, Ukwa West, to Aba.

Chief Sam Ogbonna, a lawyer from Ukwa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the situation had caused untold hardship for litigants who commute from interior parts of Ukwa, close to Rivers, to the court in Aba.

NAN reports that the High Court sitting in Obehie presided over by Justice Chibuzo Ahuchaogu was relocated to Aba on June 8, a distance of over 25 kilometers.

The judge cited failed portions of road in Uratta and Ariaria areas in Aba on the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, that delay arrival to the court, as reason for the relocation.

Ogbonna said that although the judge had moved opening of court sittings from 9:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m in the new area, yet people who have cases  still found it inconveniencing.

“The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ukwa East and Ukwa West branch, our umbrella body, sent a representation to Mr Onuoha Ogwe, Abia Chief Judge, who said the decision is irreversible.

“All passionate appeal and protests made by our people failed. All the same, there is nothing we can do.

“We cannot question the authority of the chief judge, who as a lawyer endorsed the decision.

“It has brought untold hardship to litigants who ply the same bad road the judge said is the reason for relocating the court to Aba.

“I only feel for the litigants. I am appealing to the judiciary in Abia to reconsider the stand on the plight of the people of Ukwa concerning relocation of the court,” he said.

Chief Onyema Olujie, former Chairman, Akwete Joint Council of Chiefs, said it was regrettable the treatment always given to Ukwa people in the state.

Olujie said this was not the first time the judiciary was relocating the only court in Ukwa to a place outside its local government

He noted that the civil servants had no excuse but to abide by the decision of a top official of government.

He said that Ukwa people could have given a house to the judge on temporary basis, if he wanted a place to stay to avoid the bad road.

“Our people are not pleased with this decision because the court no longer belongs to us and lots of people will miss their court dates.

“Before you can pass through the bad road to the court in Aba, you will be late. It may create a lot of economic woes for us and we want it reversed,” he said.

The Deputy Chief of Staff to Abia Deputy Governor, Chief Don Ubani, an Ukwa indigene, wrote a letter on May 29, to Ogwe pleading for cancellation of the planned relocation but his plea was not heeded.

However, phone calls made to the Abia Commissioner for Justice, Chief Uche Ihediwa, were not returned while messages sent to the phone were not responded to as at the time of filing this report. 

Akwete weavers decry high production cost, seek Govt empowerment

June 9, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

Mrs Helen Ebere, President, Akwete Cooperative Plc, in Abia has decried the lack of patronage of Akwete handmade clothes in the country occasioned by high production cost.

Ebere made the disclosure in an interview with our Correspondent on Tuesday in Akwete, a town in Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia.

According to her, the cost of weaving a handmade two and a half yards of the Akwete cloth, has now risen to about N25, 000 each.

She noted that in the past, with N10, 000 or less, an interested buyer could procure five yards of the material.

The Akwete weaver pointed out that the high cost of the yarn, which had increased the cost of production, had reduced the marketability of the finished fabric. 

”Our clothes unfortunately are not much in demand now, except for few orders, since 2010, as a result of the rise in the cost of our production materials.

”Before then, when there was no incidences of  kidnapping, the Europeans used to come around and bought our clothes a lot. 

”Nigerians were also buying our clothes, but now our clothes are sold in very low quantities and mostly to people coming in from Rivers and Lagos States,” she said.

Ebere called for the federal and state governments intervention to reduce the cost of weaving yarn (thread), in a bid to  slash the production cost of the Akwete clothes and increase its marketability.

”The government appears to be interested in sustaining our work and the creativity involved in hand-made Akwete clothe production. 

”Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu and the Chairman of our local government has visited us once.

”But after they visited and made promises, they did not do anything.

”Our clothes are not being sold in large quantity now because of the cost of the production which ranges from N10, 000 to N15, 000 to N25, 000 and more and that affects us and our families,” she said.

She said that empowering the producers of the Akwete clothe through  low interest loans and reduction of cost of weaving yarns, would boost the business and help families survive during this Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic era.

 Ebere, who described the fabric as the ‘dream of every fashionable woman’ said the clothes were of high quality and ever trendy for various occasions.

Mazi Christian Uwaezuoke, Secretary to Joint Council of UmuIhueze, Amakam, and Umueze autonomous Communities in Akwete town remarked that only former Gov. Sam Mbakwe’s administration had supported the business.

He said that Mbakwe, who was the governor of the old Imo State (comprising Abia, Ebonyi and Imo) donated funds with which the Akwete Weaving Centre was built.

Uwaezuoke urged governments to come to their aid to preserve that culture and business, that  had put Nigeria on the weaving map of the world.

He said it would be unfortunate for any government wishing to support made-in-Nigeria products, without supporting Akwete clothe.