By Godwin Akor, Makurdi
Activities of government at the Benue government house and other places have collapsed following the infection of top government functionaries by Coronavirus.
247 gathered at the power house that Governor Samuel Ortom had at the weekend announced that his wife, his son, secretary to the state government, the chief of staff, the head of service and few other top government functionaries had contracted the disease and were in isolation.
Ortom also told journalists that even as he had tested negative some weeks ago, he was going into isolation with his entire family members.
Since he made the disclosure, government activities which centered around him have collapsed as it was learnt that the deputy governor, Engr Benson Abounu, who should take charge lost his younger brother last week.
It was further gathered that following the death of a professor and Governor Ortom’s revelation coupled with the confirmation made by his wife, the chief of staff and the SSG, the staff around them have commenced general testing for COVID-19.
247 learnt that for the fear of the dreaded disease, many civil servants have abandoned their jobs, thus, confirming the speculation that many workers may have contracted the disease during the partial lock down in the state.
At the time of filing this report, Benue may have recorded nearly 100 COVID-19 cases and one death.
When the disease started spreading, there was a government policy that only journalists that have special relationship with the governor should cover government house activities so as to respect the social distancing policy but the disease went through backdoor to devastate government house.
For now, Benue is dull because of COVID-19. Even state executive council meetings seem not to be holding. No thanks to COVID-19.
