Abia begins mass production of surgical face mask

Tailors in Aba, the commercial nerve of Abia State has begun the local production of surgical Face Mask as the price of the imported ones is out of reach of the common man as coronavirus pandemic in the country bits hard on families.

Information has it that they have also produced lab coat in large quantity for medical personnel.

Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu last week had challenged manufacturers in the state to locally mass-produce Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) for those at medical personnel and those in the frontline of the fight to defeat the Coronavirus pandemic in the state and country at large.

It was gathered that owing to the demand on the imported sourced mask, the price was out of reach of the common man, leaving them more vulnerable to contract coronavirus.

The disposable surgical mask if approved for sale by the appropriate authorities would serve as a huge relief for many Aba residents who couldn’t afford the price of the outsourced and as well, end the monopoly of some of the dealers of the surgical face mask that seized the opportunity of its demand and shortage supply to rip off Abians.

It was learnt that the surgical face mask which sold between N30-N50 a piece now sells for N500, a situation which forced many residents to start using a locally made Face Mask with Ankara material as an alternative until this breakthrough.

Some of the residents who spoke on the development said that they were happy that tailors in the state rose to the occasion in the face of the global coronavirus pandemic.

While calling on the Abia State government to begin massive and aggressive marketing of the product, they also reminded the state governor; Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu and his team of the need to ensure that they ensure that the product gets certification.

This is even as they called for the empowerment of the tailors who have risen to the occasion in cushioning the effect of the surgical Mask scarcity in the state.

Information has it that the Aba Made surgical Mask was presented to Gov. Ikpeazu during the Inter-Ministerial Committee meeting on COVID-19 which he presided over, that had in attendance, Commissioners of Information, Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, Rt. Hon. Cosmos Ndukwe, Joe Osuji, Commissioner for Health, Barr. Chris Ezem and among others.

“At a time when the nation is grappling with acute shortage of medical and other allied supplies, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu threw an open challenge to the Aba Tailors to commence the production of face masks in Aba.

“This evening, the Governor received the first set of those masks. Don’t joke with Aba! We are Aba! The Great Enyimba City!” Mr. Onyebuchi Ememanka, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor posted on his official facebook handle.