Enugu Records 100% Success In Target Polio Vaccination – Official

The Enugu Government has achieved 100 per cent success coverage in the just concluded ‘specific-target’ polio vaccination in the state.

Dr George Ugwu, Executive-Secretary of Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), disclosed this while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State,

NAN reports that the state embarked on a six-day specific-target polio vaccination in 16 wards within the Uzo-Uwani council area between Aug. 22 and Aug. 27.


The exercise is targeted at vaccinating 35,775 children from three months to five years.

Ugwu said that the exercise was an overwhelming success and the targeted 35,775 children for the vaccination was exceeded and “we got 37,852 which is above 100 per cent’’.

The executive secretary said that the agency had not achieved such a resounding target in a single specific-target polio vaccination exercise.

He said the exercise enjoyed the maximum support of all relevant individuals and organisations, including the council chairman, workers, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community based organisations



The executive secretary noted that the exercise had to be extended for additional two days to allow for effective and proper coverage of wards in difficult terrains.

“We recorded coverage of 100 per cent in Oral Polio Vaccination (OPV) and 96 per cent in the Fractional Inactivated Polio Vaccine (FIPV) in the just-concluded immunisation.

“The agency enjoyed robust cooperation from the chairman of the council area that also ensured that other leaders and workers within the council area supported us to attain the success,’’ he said.

Ugwu, however, said that the agency encountered few challenges during the exercise and that these centred on logistics and nature of the terrain.

“We were able to overcome these challenges by involving more hands, more vaccination teams, additional two State Technical Facilitators (STFs) and ensure very close supervision and dedication of all involved in the exercise.

“Of course, we have to extend the exercise for two additional days for effective mop-up and ensuring no child under the age range for the exercise is omitted,’’ he said.

The executive-secretary commended Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for the support he gave the agency, especially in the just-concluded polio vaccination exercise.

“I also laud National Primary Health Care Development Agency, WHO, UNICEF as well as Rotary International, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, chairman of Uzo-Uwani council area and other stakeholders for their support to the exercise’’. (NAN)

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Enugu records 100% success in target polio vaccination – Official - Orient Daily News

The Enugu Government has achieved 100 per cent success coverage in  the just concluded ‘specific-target’ polio vaccination in the state. Dr George Ugwu, Executive-Secretary of Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA), disclosed

NMA, Red Cross Donate Protective Equipment Worth N2.5m To UNIZIK’s Isolation Center

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra Chapter, has delivered a batch of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) worth N2.5 million to Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) Medical Services Centre.

The protective equipment handed over on Tuesday in Awka was part of the donations from the International Committee of the Red Cross Committee (ICRC) to the Anambra NMA under its COVID-19 Infection Prevention Control (IPC) partnership.

The Chairman of the association in Anambra, Dr Jide Onyekwelu, said the donation was part of the main task of the NMA taskforce on COVID-19.

They included IPC training and procurement of PPE for health workers in the state.

Onyekwelu said NMA was worried about the number of doctors and other health workers who had been infected and died as a result of COVID-19 scourge in the country.

The chairman, who was with Dr Jane Ezeonu, Chairman of Anambra NMA Taskforce and other members of the NMA executive, said PPEs would help to curb the spread of infections between doctors and patients.

The chairman said the association would continue to promote the safety of members and work with the government of Anambra to combat the pandemic to standstill.

The items donated included 460 units of hand disinfection gel, 1,000 units of plastic apron, 900 units of non-woven surgical cap, 3,000 units of latex and 3,000 units of Nitrile surgical gloves.

Others are 600 units of protection gowns, 300 single use respiratory protection masks and 3,000 single use surgical mask.

According to him, we are formally presenting these PPEs to UNIZIK’s Medical Centre, and the health workers in this isolation centre will use them to protect themselves against COVID- 19.

“NMA has plans of extending similar donations to other isolation centres, including Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka and Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.



“NMA in Anambra will continue to do our best by partnering with the government and other strategic partners to fight the scourge to a standstill and consign COVID- 19 to dustbin of history,” he said.

Onyekwelu conceded that the cost of PPEs were high and called on governments to get more involved in the availability and accessibility of the safety equipment to health workers.

He said there was need to help private doctors who were more exposed to infections because they treated all categories of patients in the society.

“Of particular mention is the private health sector, the doctor in the private healthcare facility is the most exposed because he is the primary care physician who attends to the different patients.

“Before he starts suspecting that a case may be COVID-19, he is already exposed, he therefore needs protection more.

However, the sponsors of this project ICRC specifically want these PPEs to go to isolation centres only,” he said.

Receiving the equipment, Prof. Lasbery Asomugha, Director, UNIZIK Medical Services thanked the NMA for their gesture.

Asomugha said the donations further enhanced the readiness of the university for reopening whenever it it was announced.

“On behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone, I want to thank the NMA for donating these items and like Oliver Twist, we will always ask for more,” he said.

Dr Vincent Okpala, Commissioner of Health in Anambra, was represented by Dr Uche Onyejimbe,Director of Public Health in the ministry.

It will be recalled that Anambra NMA on Aug. 18 and Aug. 19, conducted an IPC training for 25 doctors in a train-the-trainers programme in conjunction with ICRC and NCDC. (NAN)

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NMA, Red Cross donate protective equipment worth N2.5m to UNIZIK’s isolation center - Orient Daily News

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Anambra Chapter, has delivered a batch of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) worth N2.5 million to Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) Medical Services Centre. The protective equipment handed over on Tuesday in Aw

ASUU In Benin Rejects IPPIS, Opts For UTAS

The Benin Zone of Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), has opted for University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), which it developed as their preferred mode of payment to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Prof. Fred Esumeh, the Zonal Coordinator, said this on Tuesday during a press conference at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

He said that UTAS would help curb corruption in the academic system.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports The national body of ASUU had rejected the IPPIS which the government introduced to curb corruption and eliminate financial leakages within the Federal Government.

The Federal Government has made it compulsory for all workers on its employment to receive salaries through IPPIS.

The union said rejected it and declared a two-week warning strike over the government’s refusal to pay them because they did not join in the new payment platform.

Esumeh said the union rejected the IPPIS as a payment platform because it was not suitable for the university system and was not designed to accommodate the peculiarities of academic institutions.

“ASUU has promised alternative software that would be compatible with the university system and towards this, the Federal Government accepted the University Transparency and Accountability Solution, (UTAS) in principle.

“Government also approved that the template be developed by ASUU and its researchers as a platform for the financial administration of universities staff monthly payroll and accounting processes in federal universities,” he said.

Esumeh said the Federal Government also pledged that when fully developed, the UTAS would be subjected to various integrity tests in order to verify its efficacy as software that can pass the necessary attribute tests as specified by Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NIIDA).

He said that ASUU had proposed a time frame of 18 months to the Federal Government ASUU to develop the UTAS and subject it to the integrity evaluation tests.

Esumeh said that the union had resolved to continue with the ongoing strike if government failed to satisfactorily address the issues in contention which included revitalisation fund for public universities arrears of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA).

Others are visitation to universities, proliferation of state universities and issues of governance and the conclusion of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement. (NAN)

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ASUU in Benin rejects IPPIS, opts for UTAS - Orient Daily News

The Benin Zone of Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), has opted for University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), which it developed as their preferred mode of payment to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System

Umahi Swears In New Council Chairmen

Ebonyi State Governor Engr David Umahi on Tuesday swear into office the newly elected Chairmen of the State.

Ebonyi State local government Elections took place last Saturday and the people’s Democratic party PDP won in all the local government area and 171 ward counselors.


Ten policatical parties contested in the election but the main opposition party, APC didn’t participate in the election.

The Governor during the event at the Ecumenical Center, called on the newly elected council Chairmen in the state to deliver democracy dividends for the people which is the most reason why they were elected.

He said sharing money meant for the development of the local governments will not be their legacies but the projects they were able to put in place in their various local governments.

He maintained that only E-voting will end bloodshed, rigging and other criminalities in Nigeria electoral system and ensure rapid development in the country.

Umahi said “there is a context, context of bring the money let us share and context of development. But the truth is that there no amount of money that is shared that will become your legacies. It is those projects, it is those lives you have impacted upon positively that will count for you today and tomorrow.

“Do not fail to work for the people, when you work for the people you are working for God and there is no one that fights you when your heart is on God that will succeed.

“It is important that whoever that wants to contest election is allowed to contest election. Nobody is going to beg anybody not to contest election again in Ebonyi state.

“We are advocating for E-voting both in our party and to show example to INEC. I believe that when E-voting comes to be, every leader will face the people and we will begin to realize that power belongs to God and God manifest himself through the people and that when the process of healing will begin in our country.

“It is not a question of during election you share money and you are brought to power, you don’t come to your constituency until the day of another election”.

Earlier in a remark, the State Attorney general Barr Cletus Ofoke said the new Chairmen will serve for two years in the office.

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Umahi swears in new Council Chairmen - Orient Daily News

By Ruth Oginyi Ebonyi State Governor Engr David Umahi on Tuesday swear into office the newly elected Chairmen of the State. Ebonyi State local government Elections took place last Saturday and the people’s Democratic party PDP won in all the lo

Factional Abia APGA Chairman, SWC Cross-Carpet To APC

Chief Nkem Okoro, the factional Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in Abia along with State Working Committee, on Tuesday joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).


Okoro said that the movement also included factional executive committees at the 17 local government and 184 ward levels in the state.
He described their cross carpeting to APC as “a Tsunami of political realignment with the biggest and most progressive political party in Nigeria.

“This decision was taken after wide consultation with our supporters at all levels, who are in agreement that APC represents a progressives platform with the ideals and vision required to end misgovernance in Abia.
“Our decision to join APC became more cogent and expedient, after the leader of APGA in Abia and a respected Abia son, Dr Alex Otti, joined APC with thousands of APGA supporters recently.

“Today, we have trooped out here with the progressive zeal, passion and commitment to wholeheartedly join the APC with the desire to selflessly support the vision of the party aimed at ensuring that the Abia of our collective dream is achieved.

“As leaders of APGA at all levels, we showed hard work and commitment, devoid of compromise in leading our party men and women.
“Therefore, today, we want to assure you that we shall deploy same virtues of commitment and sincerity as APC members to passionately work for the growth and expansion of Abia APC at all levels.


“What we are doing here today marks the end of our journey in APGA, thus we are joining the Abia APC with our spirits and souls, and with the determination to make people-oriented sacrifices aimed at taking the APC to an enviable height.”
Okoro said that he and others cross carpeting “are determined to align with the APC state Chairman, his officers and other men and women of goodwill to ensure that APC vision in Abia will be achieved for the good of our people.

“We know that the constitution and ideologies of APC attach so much priority to discipline, loyalty and supremacy of the party over every individual.
“Therefore, we are excited because our track record of commitment, discipline and loyalty would make it easier for us to quickly integrate and be part of the big APC family,” he said.


Receiving the new members at the APC state Secretariat in Umuahia, the Chairman, Chief Donatus Nwankpa, assured them of a level playing ground, saying: “We do not have room for discrimination.
“We should not discriminate between the old and new members. This is no time to struggle for party positions.
“We want to take the party to the next level and we can only achieve it by taking over the government of Abia in 2023.”


Nwankpa also spoke on the agitation for the next Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, saying that “the South-East is ready to produce the next president of Nigeria.
“We have the population because after the population of the natives in any part of Nigeria, the next highest population are people of the southeast,” he said.


Also, the Zonal Vice Chairman of APC, Chief Emma Enukwu, commended the new members for their decision and assured them of justice and internal democracy in APC.
Enukwu said that their action would help to reinforce the strength of APC in the 2023 polls in Abia.
He said that the party had garnered experience from its failed attempts in the last two elections to produce the Abia governor and hoped that the situation would change positively in 2023.




He therefore called for unity in the party and oneness of purpose for the party to produce the next Abia governor and representatives at the National and State Assemblies.
He decried the poor state of infrastructure in Abia, saying that the state was trailing behind other southeast states in terms of infrastructure development.

Enukwu urged the southeast to encourage President Muhammadu Buhari “to continue with his good performance in the zone” by supporting his administration.
He said that Buhari had done far better than past administrations in project execution in the zone.

He cited the refurbished Akanu Ibiam International Airport, the ongoing construction of the second Niger Bridge and reconstruction of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway to buttress his point. (NAN)

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Factional Abia APGA Chairman, SWC cross-carpet to APC - Orient Daily News

Chief Nkem Okoro, the factional Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in Abia along with State Working Committee, on Tuesday joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). Okoro said that the movement also included factional executive

NMA In C’ River Urges Gov. Ayade To Assent To Anti-Kidnap Bill

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River chapter, on Tuesday appealed to Gov. Ben Ayade to assent to the Anti-Kidnapping Bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly.

The NMA made the appeal in a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr Innocent Abang which was made available to journalists at the end of the association’s emergency meeting in Calabar.

The association was reacting to the kidnap of its member, Dr Vivien Otu, by gunmen at her residence in State Housing Estate, Calabar last Friday.


It said its members had since Saturday withdrawn services in line with the association’s standing resolution.

The association condemned the frequent kidnap of medical workers and their dependents as well as the general insecurity in the state.



“Recently, the security situation in Calabar in particular and Cross River State as a whole has deteriorated and is fast becoming unbearable.

“This is evident by the recurring incidents of kidnapping within Calabar and its environs.

“The unfortunate situation has caused great fear and trepidation among those who do work and do business in Calabar, ” the association said.

NMA urged security agencies in the state to ensure the rescue of Otu and others still in captivity across the state.

“The NMA-CRS branch, therefore, calls on Cross River House of Assembly to impress on Gov. Ben Ayade to assent without further delay, to the Anti-Kidnapping Bill which has been passed., ” it added.

The association also appealed to President Muhammad Buhari and all heads of security agencies in the country to assist in stemming the tide of insecurity. (NAN)

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Ebonyi LGA Elections: “God Foiled Our Enemies’ Ambush” — Umahi

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that God foiled the possible litigation ambush laid by his government’s enemies in the course of conducting the Local Government Area (LGA) elections.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election was held on Aug. 29, after being shifted twice from April, 25, due to the rampaging COVID-19 pandemic and Aug. 15, following an injunction.
Umahi made the declaration on Tuesday at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, while swearing-in the newly-elected chairmen of the 13 LGA all of whom contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


The governor urged the elected officers, party faithful and the citizens to thank God for a successful conduct of election in spite of the enemies’ ambush especially after its cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Few people knew that we were running into a constitutional crisis because of COVID-19 but God gave us wisdom on what to do and silenced the enemies’ devices.

“The election itself remains the best in the state’s history without incidences of death, accidents and recorded impressive voter turnout.
“This kind of process may not be obtained in others states because there will be so much fear of people being killed, disagreements and acrimony,” he said.

Umahi thanked the Caretaker Chairmen of the councils for their ‘wonderful’ performance, noting that they assumed office when the state was badly challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The new chairmen should not work for anybody who does not work with them and that is why we insist that those who worked for us since 2015 when we were badly challenged, should be ‘carried along’.


“I have no regrets alongside my officials for believing in you and for asking God to bring you and our party executives back in office.
“You should therefore work for the people believing that the legacies you leave in office will be worth more than anything else,” he said.
Mr Cletus Ofoke, State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice said that the election followed stipulated constitutional provisions and commended the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC), for a hitch-free exercise.


Mrs Chinyere Iyioku, Chairman of Ohaozara LGA, thanked all those who ensured the chairmen and councilors’ victories at the polls and pledged to continue delivering democratic dividends to the people.
NAN reports that nine out of the 13 LGA chairmen were re-elected for a second tenure in office while four were newly elected.


The re-elected chairmen include: Chief Emmanuel Nwangele (Abakaliki), Chief Eni Uduma (Afikpo South), Mrs Chinyere Nwogbaga (Ebonyi), Mrs Nora Alo (Ezza North) and Mr Henry Eze (Ishiellu).
Mr Paul Nwogha was also re-elected for Izzi LGA, Mrs Chinyere Iyioku (Ohaozara), Clement Odah (Ohaukwu), and Mr Felix Igboke (Onicha).
The newly elected chairmen include: Mrs Obiageri Oko-Enyim (Afikpo North), Mr Kenneth Eze (Ezza South), Chief Stephen Orogwu (Ikwo) and Mr Onyebuchi Ogbadu (Ivo). (NAN)

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Ebonyi LGA elections: “God foiled our enemies’ ambush” — Umahi - Orient Daily News

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that God foiled the possible litigation ambush laid by his government’s enemies in the course of conducting the Local Government Area (LGA) elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election was

Ebonyi LGA Elections: “God Foiled Our Enemies’ Ambush” — Umahi

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that God foiled the possible litigation ambush laid by his government’s enemies in the course of conducting the Local Government Area (LGA) elections.


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election was held on Aug. 29, after being shifted twice from April, 25, due to the rampaging COVID-19 pandemic and Aug. 15, following an injunction.
Umahi made the declaration on Tuesday at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, while swearing-in the newly-elected chairmen of the 13 LGA all of whom contested under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor urged the elected officers, party faithful and the citizens to thank God for a successful conduct of election in spite of the enemies’ ambush especially after its cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Few people knew that we were running into a constitutional crisis because of COVID-19 but God gave us wisdom on what to do and silenced the enemies’ devices.



“The election itself remains the best in the state’s history without incidences of death, accidents and recorded impressive voter turnout.
“This kind of process may not be obtained in others states because there will be so much fear of people being killed, disagreements and acrimony,” he said.




Umahi thanked the Caretaker Chairmen of the councils for their ‘wonderful’ performance, noting that they assumed office when the state was badly challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The new chairmen should not work for anybody who does not work with them and that is why we insist that those who worked for us since 2015 when we were badly challenged, should be ‘carried along’.


“I have no regrets alongside my officials for believing in you and for asking God to bring you and our party executives back in office.
“You should therefore work for the people believing that the legacies you leave in office will be worth more than anything else,” he said.
Mr Cletus Ofoke, State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice said that the election followed stipulated constitutional provisions and commended the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC), for a hitch-free exercise.


Mrs Chinyere Iyioku, Chairman of Ohaozara LGA, thanked all those who ensured the chairmen and councilors’ victories at the polls and pledged to continue delivering democratic dividends to the people.
NAN reports that nine out of the 13 LGA chairmen were re-elected for a second tenure in office while four were newly elected.


The re-elected chairmen include: Chief Emmanuel Nwangele (Abakaliki), Chief Eni Uduma (Afikpo South), Mrs Chinyere Nwogbaga (Ebonyi), Mrs Nora Alo (Ezza North) and Mr Henry Eze (Ishiellu).
Mr Paul Nwogha was also re-elected for Izzi LGA, Mrs Chinyere Iyioku (Ohaozara), Clement Odah (Ohaukwu), and Mr Felix Igboke (Onicha).
The newly elected chairmen include: Mrs Obiageri Oko-Enyim (Afikpo North), Mr Kenneth Eze (Ezza South), Chief Stephen Orogwu (Ikwo) and Mr Onyebuchi Ogbadu (Ivo). (NAN)

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Ebonyi LGA elections: “God foiled our enemies’ ambush” — Umahi - Orient Daily News

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has said that God foiled the possible litigation ambush laid by his government’s enemies in the course of conducting the Local Government Area (LGA) elections. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the election was

Anambra 2021: No Individual Can Produce PDP Governorship Candidate — Chairman

Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anambra, on Tuesday said no individual can influence emergence of its candidates with the returned power structure of the party to the people.

Nwobu told newsmen in Awka on Tuesday that anybody wishing to clinch the ticket of the party should work to earn the trust and support of the greater majority.

The chairman said that 12 aspirants had so far indicated interest to contest the state governorship election on the platform of the party.


He assured that the primary election would be participatory so that only the delegates would determine who would fly the flag.

He said the party had given the aspirants the list of statutory delegates for them to start to work with as nobody, not even the state executive committee, would be able to help them no matter how they loved them.

The chairman thanked the national and zonal leaderships of PDP for reaffirming his executive, while calling on detractors to stop their antics to distract the leadership.

He said that party leadership at the ward level should desist from working for any aspirant or be seen to be coordinating for anybody as such act would attract disciplinary action.



Nwobu said that there would be a level playing field for all the aspirants.

“We have given delegates’ lists to all persons who are running for governor in Anambra State on our platform.

“This has never happened before. We are bent on ensuring that the right person who is elected by the people wins the ticket of the party for the election,” he said.

Nwobu said his executive had no paymaster and would not be bought over by anybody.

“This executive does not have a paymaster and we do not pander to the whims and caprices of any paymaster. That is why we do not have money to do some of the things we should do in this party.

“Money bags who usually throw money about are not comfortable with us because we are not ready to do their bidding,” he said.

Nwobu listed aspirants who had indicated interest as Dr Harry Oranezi, Ifedi Okwenna, Emeka Azubogu, Valentine Ozigbo and Godwin Maduka, Uche Ekwunife, Obiora Okonkwo, Ike Oligbo, Emeka Etiaba, Godwin Ezeemo, Chuma Nzeribe and Ugochukwu Okeke. (NAN)

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Anambra 2021: No individual can produce PDP governorship candidate — Chairman - Orient Daily News

Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Anambra, on Tuesday said no individual can influence emergence of its candidates with the returned power structure of the party to the people. Nwobu told newsmen in Awka on Tuesday that

Alor community demands suspended monarch, caretaker committee removal

By Chukwudu Ebele

Alor community in Idemili South local government area of Anambra state, has embarked on a peaceful demonstration to register their protest against continued recognition of Chief Mac Anthony Okonkwo as their traditional ruler and imposition of caretaker committee for town union leadership.

The community pleaded with the state government

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