The Benue State Action Committee on COVID-19 has said government will hand down stiffer penalties on persons or organizations found without face masks.
Secretary of the Committee, Mr. Sunday Ongbabo who stated this while speaking on phone with journalists, was reacting to the increasing cases of infection of Coronavirus in the state.
Ongbabo who expressed concerns that most residents have vehemently refused to obey the laid down protocol especially that of wearing of face masks.
He said that already there are over 200 cases in the state even though 85 persons have been treated and discharged.
READ ALSO: Covid-19: Benue Urge Citizens To Be More Cautious As Positive Cases Rise To 35
Ongbabo insisted that the few disobedient ones are putting the lives of many at risk hence, the need to institute a stiffer penalty to check them.
“This is the challenge we are facing. Those who refuse to wear face mask are jeopardizing the wellbeing of the people. Therefore, we need to institute stiff penalties on defaulters”, Ongbabo said.
He disclosed that most of the top government officials who had earlier tested positive including the Chief of Staff to Governor Samuel Ortom, Terwase Orbunde, as well as the Principal Special Assistant on Special Duties, Abraham Kwaghngu, are now negative while more results are been awaited.
He, therefore, urged residents to wear their face masks if they need to go out as offenders will not be spared.
