A total of about 32 cases of Lassa Fever has been recorded in Ondo State with two death recorded within the last one week.
This was disclosed in a statement by the Special Adviser to the state governor on Health, Prof Francis Faduyile, who said the state has been experiencing an increase in the new wave of COVID-19 infection in the state.
Also speaking, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr Charles Titiloye said, the state government has outlawed the closure of markets, shops, business premises and restrictions on commercial activities in any part of the state without the prior approval of the state governor.
Titiloye said the government also place a ban on all mining activities in any part of the state particularly in government forest reserves with immediate effect, saying the closure of markets must be approved by the state government.
He said: “The Council observed the increase in closure of markets and restrictions on market activities in the state without following due process of law.
“Sometimes, shops and sales outlets are closed to customers by traditional rulers without notice to the public, thereby subjecting citizens to unnecessary hardship.
“The Council also noted there is need for a resolution to prescribe a procedure for modalities for closure of markets, business premises, restrictions to commercial activities in the state.
“Consequently, the Council resolved that the closure of markets, shops, business premises and restrictions on commercial activities should not take place in any part of the state without the prior approval of the Governor of the state.
“That the request for approval for such closure must be by application made through the Local Government Chairman of the affected area to the Governor of the state for approval”
“The state is saying from now on, no mining is permitted in the state if the procedures have not been followed. And no mining is permitted at all especially in government forest reserves without the permission of the necessary department, especially the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Mineral Resources.
“Obas, landowners are expected to liaise with the same Ministry before they grant consent to any in their territories. The Council directed that any place where illegal mining is permitted will have the C of O revoked. No equipment is expected to move on any land in this state without prior authorization.
“Council welcomes legitimate business owners and miners to come and prospect and exploit Ondo State, provided they adhere to all the procedures and extant laws including respect for people’s businesses, farmlands and cash crops in the state,” he said