I can’t be struggling with cows to enter Govt. House – Umahi warns herders, Almajiris to steer clear of Ebonyi

…, Says ‘Ebonyi now records 13th COVID-19 case’

Clement Nnachi, Abakaliki

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has warned against shepherding cattle within the precinct of the new Government House in Abakaliki, as he has also restated his resolve not to allow Almajiris into the state.

 This was as the governor announced that the state has recorded its 13th COVID-19 case.

Governor Umahi made the declaration at the Government House, in Abakaliki, on Wednesday, in a live radio/television broadcast at the end of the state’s Security Council meeting.

In his words, “I don’t want to see any cow within Centenary City. How can I be struggling with cow to enter Government House.”

READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2020/05/20/covid-19-muric-wants-palliatives-for-clerics/

“Any one we see, the state’s Attorney General will move to court, get Order of Court to auction them.”

The governor also described the upsurge of confirmed Coronavirus cases in the state as ‘disturbing’.

Speaking against the backdrop of the migration of Almajiris into the South East geo-political zone of the country, Governor Umahi reiterated that before now, there were no Almajiris in the state.

He continued, “We will not allow the Almajiris enter the state. They should go back to their states of origin. Is the Almajiris part of social distancing?” he queried.

The governor also frowned at the open rearing of cattle within the vicinity of the new Government Lodge, threatening to halt the trend.

Delving into the increasing cases of Coronavirus in Ebonyi State, Governor Umahi said, “Nobody believed that we have 13 cases of COVID-19 as at today, unless the people advise themselves.
“We have to behave ourselves. We have to observe the protocols of the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC).

Governor Umahi also said that all the cases recorded in the state had no symptoms but were detected through massive testing.

He attributed the increment in COVID-19 cases to the relaxation of lockdown stating “I expect another lockdown if the cases continue like this.”

The Ebonyi State’s Chief Executive said that the 1st index case of cOVID-19 recorded in the state was the case of one Friday Ibe, 25, who hails from Onicha Local Government Area of the state.

READ ALSO: https://www.thexpressng.com/2020/05/20/farmers-herdsmen-clashes-benue-nasarawa-govs-draw-peace-pact/

“The 2nd index case was a returnee from Delta, 3rd case hails from Izzi local government area of the state.”

On palliatives received so far from the Federal Government, Governor Umahi said that the state has received  a total of 1,800 bags of 50 kg rice in addition to 1,500 cartons of tomatoes.

“Over 50,000 household members have been uploaded in Conditional Cash Transfer of the Federal Government. Ebonyi will get its share soon,” the governor concluded.