Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi on Wednesday warned that public movement would not be allowed in the state without wearing of face masks.

Umahi gave the warning in Abakaliki during a statewide broadcast, directing Local Government Area (LGA) Chairmen to ensure minimum compliance, stressing that any movement in the state without wearing of face mask will attract “caning, no matter the position of the affected individual in the society.”

“COVID-19 started with big men and small men are also now infected.

“The big men have the resources to stay in their homes treat the virus, but the poor men don’t have such resources to manage it, so, we have to protect them.

“Any big man that comes outside and don’t have face mask on, will be in trouble and we are very clear about that,” he said.

Umahi said that as index cases were recorded in some neigbouring states: “The Ebonyi state government will come out with tougher measures to prevent the virus from spreading to the state.

“The people are complaining that the state COVID-19 team is collecting bribe but there is no way heads of security outfits can be everywhere.

“People should report any of their officers involved in such malpractice and the affected locations to the head of the securities agencies.

“The information provided will be used to trace the erring officers, some of the officers are already caught in the act will be used as examples.”

Umahi directed the state Head of Service to instruct civil servants who are operating from homes, to engage in community service through sensitising citizens to engage in agriculture.

“We have directed LGA chairmen to send us names of those who would engage in rice and cassava production to be sent to the CBN for assistance.

“There is no more cash with the state government for loans to civil servants for the production of rice, cassava and other agricultural ventures.

“We have an advantage, the CBN is willing to give loans to farmers, so people should stop sending me text to roll out loans,” he said. (NAN)