Covid 19: Umahi considers releasing prisoners with lighter offences.

Ebonyi state Governor, Chief David Umahi has directed the State Chief Judge to liaise with the Correctional Service in the State to review the cases of Prisoners with the view of releasing those with lighter offences and limited terms.

The Governor who gave this directive in a state wide broadcast explained that the essence was to decongest the Correctional Centers as a means of further checking the infectious pandemic.

He further directed the Council Chairmen and Coordinators to compile and update the list of recent returnees in their domain for a follow-up action, the Governor urged the Civil Servants to seize the opportunity provided by the partial lock down to engage in intensive farming activities.

He emphasized that the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic demands aggressive Agricultural and economic activities.

Chief Umahi who announced government's decision to boost the earlier approved palliative fund of N1 billion with additional N500 million said the addition has become necessary to cater for more essential commodities for the people.

He however warned the Committee handling the palliatives to distribute the items fairly without recourse to political party affiliations, warning that he would hold the Council Chairmen, Development Centre Coordinators and other political appointees culpable for any leakages in their areas.

Umahi further directed the immediate distribution of all available protective masks and hand sanitizers to the citizens, including those acquired by government and those donated to it by donor organisations.

He urged the Committee on palliative measures headed by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru, to redouble its effort towards massive production of more protective masks.

Meanwhile, Governor Umahi has extended the existing stay-at-home order for some category of Civil Serviants to the end of April, 2020 to further mitigate against the Coronavirus pandemic.