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Umahi tables conditions for lifting Okada ban, lockdown

Ebonyi State governor, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has implored residents to have hope and not despair as ban on motorcycles (Okada) and lockdown in the state may be lifted by May 1.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, and Commissioner for Human Capital Development and Monitoring, Hon. Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji and made available to Paulokahblog Saturday, Umahi...

He said: "The Governor thanks all Ebonyians for their patience and appreciation of our modest achievements so far made on the war against Corona Virus, especially those who made donations either in cash or in material or both, to support the State Government in the fight against Covid-19 of which the total cash donation till date is about One Hundred and Twenty Million (N120,000,000.00).

"In consideration of the economic peculiarities of Ebonyi State, the Governor directed me to also inform the general public in the state that he has compassionately decided not to lock down the entire State, considering our poverty index level. Those agitating that he should close down all markets have to re-evaluate their suggestions based on the facts that we have not recorded any index case of Covid-19 for now and, therefore, there is no need to entirely lock down our economic activities.

"He appeals to the religious bodies in Ebonyi State to exercise more patience and do more prayers for us as no other religious centre in Nigeria has been re-opened for any kind of religious activities."

Continuing, he said: "He further appeals to all Okada riders and motorcycle owners to exercise more patience as he is re-evaluating the situation of the current ban on motorcycles. He believes that, if we sustain our current efforts and we do not record any pandemic case by 1st of May, the State Government shall be lifting ban on the use of motorcycles and Okada riding in Ebonyi State, but shall exclude lifting of ban at all our borders within a distance of 300 meters radius of all our border locations. He believes this measure will definitely reduce the hardship being experienced by motorcycle owners and Okada riders in the State.

"For the entire people of Ebonyi State, the Governor thanks you immensely for your patience concerning total lock down between 7pm and 7am. Your total compliance is very encouraging to our government and we appreciate you so much for this feat. The level of our people’s compliance is an indication of a great work by the Local Government Chairmen, the Coordinators of Development Centres, the Security Agencies and, in fact, all our stakeholders in this battle against the virus. 

"The Governor is of the opinion that, if by 1st of May, Ebonyi State records no case of Covid-19, Government shall be lifting the 7am to 7pm total lockdown in Ebonyi State, but shall maintain total lock down  only at the border areas within a distance of 300 meters radius."

He added: "Our total lockdown at the border areas, excluding the essential services, will continue to remain in force, especially with the recent development of community infection of the virus, especially in South West and Northern Nigeria. The Governor appeals to Ebonyians to please put on their nose masks while leaving their homes. This pandemic is real and we must together do everything to protect ourselves.

"Our state has received one thousand, eight hundred bags of 50Kg of rice and one truck of tomatoes from the Federal Government. We are seriously producing our own rice and other cooking items and we will start distributing to our people as soon as production is completed.

"The collation of names for the Federal Government’s Conditional Cash Transfer palliative is ongoing, polling unit by polling unit, and anybody that has any complain can report to the State Situation Room. We appeal to the public especially the politicians and the media not to circulate fake news and materials that could increase fear and panic to the public."

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