COVID-19: HOW FACE MASK HAS BECOME A SOURCE OF SUFFERING FOR THE MASSES IN CROSS RIVER STATE

There is a hue and cries by motorist in Calabar over the heavy fine of N300,000 clamped on motorist for non-compliance of the usage of motorist for non-compliance of the usage of face-mask s.
It will be recalled that the Cross River State government last Tuesday deployed security agents along major streets of Calabar the state capital to commence the enforcement of the governor’s executive order of no mask, no movement. Security agents were seen around the streets of Calabar metropolis stopping and checking vehicles and even pedestrians to check the level of compliance with the order.
Our checks show that some motorists who flaunted the order had their vehicles apprehended and the commuters invited for questioning.
Following the low compliance level with the no mask, no movement order in the state, the governor, Prof. Ben Ayade had last Monday in a press release signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita issued a stern warning to Cross Riverians and residents, irrespective of class or creed to adhere strictly to the no mask, no movement order or risk arrest and quarantine for 14 days.
The governor, in the release also directed security agents to henceforth impound and tow vehicles commuting passengers without wearing nose mask to the secretariat of the COVID-19 Taskforce to only be released after the payment of N300,000 fine by owners of such vehicles.
Daybreak visit to Cultural Centre where the impounded vehicles are parked saw a sea of vehicles already impounded by the taskforce. Meanwhile, a cross section of resident told Daybreak that this law is punishing the people, causing misery, this vehicle seized and parked here served as a source of living to the people.