Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi has stated that he will not totally lockdown the state despite increasing cases of Coronavirus pandemic in the country.
According to a statement IgbereTV obtained from Mr Uchenna Orji, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation of Ebonyi State, Governor Umahi stated that the decision not to totally lockdown the state was reached after considering the economic peculiarities of the state.
Umahi said, “I considered the state’s poverty index as those agitating that I close all markets have to re-evaluate their suggestions.
“We have not recorded any index case of COVID-19 and therefore, there is no need to entirely shut our economic activities.”
“The level of compliance attests to the great work of our Local Government Area chairmen, Coordinators of development centres, security agencies among other stakeholders in the battle against this virus.
“I am of the opinion that if by May 1, 2020, and there is no record of the disease in Ebonyi, we shall lift the 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. curfew but maintain total closure of the boundaries within a distance of 300 meters radius.
“We shall also be lifting the ban on motorcycles by May 1, if we do not record any case as I appeal to motorcyclists to exercise more patience as I re-evaluate the situation,” he said.
Governor Umahi stated that the state has received 1,800 bags of 50kg rice and one truck-load of tomatoes from the Federal Government.
“We will start distributing such to our people when we complete production as the collation of names for the Federal Government conditional cash transfer palliative is ongoing polling unit by polling unit.
“Anyone with a complaint should report to the state COVID-19 situation room and I appeal to the public, especially politicians and the media, not to circulate fake news that could increase fear and panic among the public,” Umahi said.
“No journalist is banned from entering any government premises rather they are invited to partner with the government to win the war against COVID-19.”
