The State of Emergency (SoE) Inquiry Board is established to follow up and report on the handling of the SoE enacted in connection with the prevention and control of COVID-19 as well as its effects.
Regarding the activities of the Board, The Ethiopian Herald had held an exclusive interview with Board’s Chairperson, Petros Woldesenbet.
The Board commenced executing its responsibilities by undertaking the preliminary activities that included organizing office, preparing plans, and putting in place public complaint receiving mechanisms, as he said.
A ministerial committee has been formed to prevent and control the spread of coronavirus well ahead of the declaration of SoE. Hence, we had discussions with chairpersons of the ministerial committee on issues ranging from the way the ministerial committee gets organized, its specific tasks, to the committee’s activities in the pipeline while we also presented our plan per the constitutional mandates given to the Board,he recounted.
No sooner, the Board moved to start its eyes breaker activities on the ground and made its way to the Ministry of Health. “There, we have discussed with the officials of the Ministry about their undertakings at the quarantine and treatment centers.”
The information gathered from the Ministry had been important and the next step was to supplement it with information collected first hand. And the Board paid visits to the centers located in Addis Ababa. “We witnessed activities at the two quarantine centers in Addis Ababa University – Sidist Kilo and Amidst Kilo campuses. It was aimed at observing the life of citizens quarantined in the centers; to see how they are being handled, and to understand basic supplies including food, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers; and other related issues.”
The Board also visited Eka Kotebe General Hospital to get details on the treatment of patients. “What we’ve identified as weaknesses in the hospital was sent to the executive body. In fact, ministers, state ministers, and/or other concerning executive bodies were among the Board during the
visits.”
Also what the Board witnessed on the ground was the situation at bus stations/terminals as the places are hotbeds to the potential spread of the virus owing to the high density of commuters, the visit also included to get more information whether transport service providers comply as per of the authorized number.
Last but not least, the Board went to the lowest government echelons in the capital Addis Ababa—sub-cities and districts (Weredas), here the focus was, among other things, given to observe the handling of disadvantaged people. According to the chairperson, there is a good climate of supporting one another at the places visited by the Board.
He also expressed satisfaction over the activities being done on the ground in general; most people are acting as to the precautionary recommendations of pertinent bodies. “We also observed complacence among some people, particularly concerning failing to avoid social gatherings.”
The security personnel has been working round-the-clock to get the rules respected, he said, adding that unless the public supports them through exercising what the health experts and other pertinent bodies put forth, it becomes tough to the security people.
Regarding complaints lodged by the public, he said that they have been receiving complaints via personal mobile phones, free call center, and in writing. Some say they are laid off from their jobs, others report unreasonable salary reductions, while others indicated that there is an unfair arrest. The Board will inform and make recommendations to pertinent bodies about these same issues, he pledged.
There is also a report regarding social gatherings around liquor houses, cafes, and illegal Khat and Shisha parlors.
Police arrested people for failing to comply with the provisions of SoE. But the majority of the suspects were released after getting awareness-raising lessons on COVID-19, and the rest few were brought to court, he said.
“So far, both our visits in Addis Ababa and our complaint receiving channels have not indicated that there is inhumane handling of people detained in connection with the SoE”, according to the Chairperson.
The Ethiopia Herald May 8, 2020
BY ABDUREZAK MOHAMMED
