By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Ebonyi State Government has announced the release of N200 million to be used as palliative measures to cushion the effect of the hardship the people are experiencing during the sit at home order.

The governor, David Umahi, disclosed this on Thursday shortly after signing the Ebonyi State Coronavirus and Other Dangerous Infectious Diseases And Related Matters bill into law.

The law was passed on Wednesday by the State House of Assembly.

Umahi noted that the N200m would be used to purchase bags of rice, tomatoes and other food items that would be distributed to the masses to alleviate their suffering and make life more comfortable for the people.

He also warned against hoarding of foods, drugs and other essential goods and services within the state.

The governor reiterated that henceforth, refusal to provide foods, drugs and other essential goods and services within the state for citizens to buy shall be an offence.

He maintained that artificial inflation of prices of foods, drugs and other essential goods and services within the State shall also constitute an offence.

“To hoard foods, drugs and other essential goods and services within the state or refusal to provide foods, drugs and other essential goods and services within the state for people to buy shall constitute an offence.

“Where a person breaches any of the above, the culprit(s) shall be prosecuted in accordance with the Law and there shall be seizure and forfeiture of the foods, drugs and other essential goods to the State, and in addition, such forfeited foods, drugs and other essential goods shall be utilised for the purposes of alleviating the supply needs in the state.”

Umahi directed that the security agencies and indeed anybody or committee so designated by him shall effect and ensure strict compliance to the law.

“The law,” he said, “also prohibits the transmission, or dissemination through a computer system or network or otherwise false information regarding COVID-19 within the State and other Dangerous Infectious Diseases and or any circumstances related to.

“Promotion of unverified, untested, or unapproved cures, vaccines or other similar medicinal items that purport to cure, alleviate or reduce instances of persons infected, or believed to be infected, with COVID-19 or any other Dangerous Infectious Diseases within the State is prohibited.”

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