THE Aba Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), has joined the list of donors of palliative materials to the Abia state government, to cushion the rising rate of hunger among Abians, occasioned by the Covid 19 lockdown.
Making the donation of 50 cartons of Noodles,10 Bags of 50kg rice, 25 cartons of Soap and 2 cartons of Hand sanitizers to the Chairman,Abia State Covid 19 Inter-Ministerial committe, Barr Chris Ezem, the President ACCIMA, Sir Lawrence C.N Obetta JP, said the members as well as the executive committee of ACCIMA contributed the Palliative items to the state government as a way to support them in the good work they are doing.
According to Sir Obetta, the Governor of the state, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, who is also a grand patron of ACCIMA, has been sublime in managing the pandemic from spreading to other parts of the state and it would be unwise not to support him.
He said over 70% of Nigerians need palliative at this time, therefore everyone should come out and make donations to support the vulnerable no matter how little.
The ACCIMA boss revealed that apart from the palliatives items to the state government, the organization has contributed alot into its food bank raging from bags of beans, tinned tomatoes,groundnut oil, cartons of geisha,bags of rice, cartons of variety of soaps, bottled water,soap dispenser units in public places, among others to distribute to people especially the less privileged and vulnerable in the society, motherless babies homes as well as Aba Correctional centre.
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While calling on Abians to obey government lockdown directives, observe personal hygiene and maintain social distancing, thanked ACCIMA members for their gesture and appealed to other organizations to roll out their support to the state government and reach out to the needy so that everyone would come out of covid 19 alive.
In his response, the Chairman of Covid 19 Committe, who also doubles as the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Chris Ezem, thanked ACCIMA for the kind gesture, saying that this period is indeed a trying time for every government, family and household.
Ezem said the support of ACCIMA was very special to him, as it is not about the quantum or quantity of items that were brought but the thought to join in the struggle.
He said as at January this year,no one knew that the covid 19 pandemic would hit the world, therefore no plan was made for it, but thanked God and good spirited Abians who have been sustaining the Abia Food Bank.
The SSG stated that the world economy has been crippled with the closure of borders and businesses, revealing that over four billion people are sitting at home as a result of covid 19 pandemic.
Ezem urged Abians to obey strictly all government directives to contain the spread of the coronavirus, saying that although the lockdown might come with its penury and pain, but it is for the good of all.
While admonishing business owners to bear with the government until the struggle is over by staying at home, frowned at the rate people rush out to the market at the early hours of the day to do business, disregarding the background of the people they come in contact with in the market, adding that the use of facemask, social distancing, personal hygiene and the ban in large gatherings cannot be compromised.
He thanked the ACCIMA and prayed God to bless them.
Present at the event were the President of Umuahia Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (UCCIMA) Chief Chidi Nkem-Aruoma, ACCIMA vice president, Membership/Chairman of ACCIMA Covid 19 Relief Committee,Sir Chris Agbo, Ag. Executive Secretary and other Exco members of ACCIMA.
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