By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

No fewer than eight persons were on Thursday arrested at Eke Awka Market roundabout for violating COVID-19 protocols.

The violators were made to render community service by clearing debris from nearby dirty gutters in the area

The State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, had set up a committee made up of Special Adviser to the Governor on security, Commissioner for Transport, representatives of Security agencies, Ocha brigade and Anambra Transport Management Agency (ATMA) to ensure total adherence to the protocols by residents.

Other committee members include Secretary to the State Government, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, and Special Adviser to the Governor on Creative Security, who is also Managing Director Anambra State Fire Service.

The governor also slammed a N10,000 fine against offenders of the COVID-19 protocol law already signed into law in the state.

Apart from obtaining and putting on face masks, the violators were made to enter the deep dirty gutters from where they evacuated debris generated from commercial activities in the area.

According to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, he said that Mobile courts have been set up in two locations in Idemili North LGA, Onitsha, while two were located in Awka South and Nnewi respectively.

He said offenders on conviction will have the option of paying ten thousand naira fine, render a community service or both.

While warning ppeople that move about without face masks to be ready for the consequences accrued to it, Chukwudobelu said: “No offender will be spared”.