Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, on Sunday expressed worry over violation of the COVID-19 regulations in the state, especially the failure my many residents to wear face mask.
The governor, who spoke through the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olawale Fapohunda, in Ado Ekiti, said special offences court where the violators would be prosecuted had been set up in the state, adding that in addition to fines, convicted offenders would be made to undergo community service.
Fapohunda said, “Mr Governor is very concerned about what appears to us to be widespread lack of compliance with the COVID-19 regulations in Ekiti State, particularly with the wearing of face mask.
“We are concerned that a large and an unacceptable number of our people continue to believe that the COVID-19 pandemic is not real. The state government is keen to correct that wrong impression. From Monday, the state government will begin the enforcement of these regulations.
Violators will be arrested and prosecuted in our special offences court. We are adopting various sanctions in addition to fines. Persons who are convicted may also be required to undertake community service. That is without prejudice to other punitive measures that the presiding magistrate may decide to impose.”
While reminding transport operators the need to reject passengers without face masks, Fapohunda said, “If somebody is not wearing mask, no okada rider should carry such person. We have told the road transportation union members that before they carry passengers, they must be sure that such passengers are wearing mask. They have the right to reject passengers that are not wearing mask. This is not about them; it is about all of us.” Fapohunda said.