Uzodinma orders salary payment ahead of markets closure

As part of measures to stop the spread of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma has directed the immediate payment of salaries before the closure of markets tomorrow.

This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba.

The statement read in part: “Governor Hope Uzodinma has directed the banks to credit the workers with immediate effect. All staff should expect alert from their banks before the end of the day (Friday).

“Also, the salaries of all staff of tertiary institutions in the state have been released to the relevant institutions for immediate payment.”

He, however, shifted the date for the closure of all major markets in the state to Sunday, March 29.

Also, the governor has approved the appointment of Don Chris Okere, as a member of the Prof. Maurice Iwu-led committee on the prevention and control of COVID-19 in the state.

Uzodinma, while interacting with executive members of Amalgamated Market Association in the state on Thursday, he charged members of the body to reason with his government.

He advised citizens and residents to use the days before the closure and make their purchases, noting that there would be strict enforcement and compliance.

“We have already closed all schools in Imo. Civil servants have been asked to stop coming to work. As stakeholders, I want you to be part of government’s programmes, but you have to be alive to run your markets and even eat food. When markets, schools and churches are closed, we will fumigate the entire state.

The governor urged everyone to maintain personal and environmental hygiene.

In his speech, chairman of the association, Chief Jonathan Odikanwa, expressed the determination of the body to partner the state government.