Governor David Umahi has suspended five aides appointed to enforce COVID-19 safety protocols at the Margaret Umahi international Market in Abakaliki.
The aides identified as Jacinta Nworie, SA in charge of lot 5 of the market; Kirian Ofoke(lot 2); Philip Eworo(lot 4); Francisca Okeke(lot 1) and Chukwuma Ofoke (lot 3), were suspended after Governor Umahi who visited the market noticed that most of the people were not putting on face masks, and that the aides were also not on duty at the market.
The suspended aides have been directed to handover their official vehicles. A statement released by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Kenneth Ugbala, read;
“The Executive Governor of Ebonyi state, has noted with sadness, during his afternoon inspection at the Margret Umahi Int’l Market Abakaliki, that 99% of the market people do not wear nose masks and the five Special Assistants to the Governor on Markets were not seen on site.
“The Governor has therefore placed the 5 Special Assistants on market on indefinite suspension effective from Wednesday 15th of July, 2020.
“They are to hand over their official vehicles immediately to the Secretary to the State Govt. and coordinating Commissioner.
“The secretary to the state Govt. is hereby directed to post STAs and TAs back to the Margret Umahi Int’l Market Abakaliki to immediately take charge of the location while the SSG supervises them henceforth”.
Governor Umahi also warned that he will shutdown the market if the traders continue to violate NCDC protocol on COVID-19.
