By Ruth Oginyi
The Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Umahi, has banned the activities of commercial motorcycles otherwise known as Okada beginning from today (Saturday April 11, 2020) for reportedly smuggling people from other States into the Ebonyi against the restriction order.
Umahi also made U-Turn by suspending an earlier approval for religious activities in the state, noted that there will be no religious activities in the state after Easter Sunday services holding on Sunday.
The governor declared that there will be no more religious gatherings in Ebonyi as from on Monday.
He, however, urged religious leaders to collect offerings and tithes through the internet and use it to help the poor in the state.
In a public broadcast on Saturday, the Governor, noted with dismay how misguided elements hire motorcyclists popularly called Okada to enter Ebonyi State through track roads which contravenes the COVID-19 Law 2020 and as a result, has directed immediate ban of the use of Motorcycles (Okada) in Ebonyi State.
“This directive is without exception and the ban is an all-time ban across the state”, Governor Umahi said.
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According to him, any vehicle caught bringing people into the state by the taskforce team should be impounded and place on immediate auction.
He maintained that the government is working tirelessly to ensure that the deadly Coronavirus does not enter the state.
He further said, “In line with the law, elections have been suspended in the State including the local government election slated to hold April 25th.”
The governor urged the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission to liaise with political parties in the State on the development.
He said the local government election, shall hold in May depending on the outcome of the pandemic in the country.
Umahi urged the security operatives and the anti-COVID-19 taskforce team to ensure full implementation of his new directives for the safety of the State.
