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COVID-19: Wike Hails Compliance To Govt’s Order …RSG Solicits Support, Releases Bank Details

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2 months ago

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The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has appreciated Christian faithful across the state for complying with the directive of maintaining social distance during church service to check the spread of the novel Coronavirus.
Addressing journalists after he led the Task Force on Enforcement of the Ban on Public and Religious Gatherings to monitor compliance, yesterday, Wike said that the churches ensured that each service had about 50 worshippers as agreed during the meeting at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wike, accompanied by the service commanders, monitored compliance at the Saint Thomas’ Anglican Church, Mile Two, Diobu; Saint John’s Anglican Church, Rumueme Deanery; Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Rumuepirikom Deanery; Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Rumuapara District; and Abundant Life Evangel Mission Cathedral.
They also monitored compliance at the Saint Andrew’s Anglican Church, Rumuobiokani; Saint Michael’s Anglican Church, Rumuomasi Deanery; the Eternal Sacred Order of Cherubim and Seraphim, Mount of Grace, Elekahia; Saint Barnabas’ Anglican Church, Elekahia Archdeaconry; and Saint Paul’s Cathedral, Diobu.
The team moved through Corpus Christi Catholic Cathedral, Port Harcourt; Living Faith Church, Kaduna Street, D-Line; and churches on Aggrey Road in Port Harcourt.
All the churches visited had running water, soap and hand sanitizers to disinfect worshipers before and after service.
Wike said, “The compliance is very much appreciated, except for two churches that did not completely comply: Saint Thomas’ Anglican Church and Holy Trinity, Rumuapara. I have told the pastors that I don’t want to shutdown the two churches.
“In all, we are satisfied with the total compliance. That shows that the people appreciate what we are talking about. For us, the safety of our people remains key. We are happy today.
“For the two churches that failed to comply, we will review the situation and take action. As you can see, we went to different churches.”
It would be recalled that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike met with religious leaders at the Government House, Port Harcourt where it was resolved that no church service should exceed 50 persons.
He said “This is a trying period. The state government owes the society a responsibility to protect lives and property.
“This is an interface to inform you of the measures that the State Government is taking.”
He urged the churches to ensure social distancing of about 50 persons who worship at a particular time.
The governor advised all religious groups to spread out their worship time to admit fewer people per time.
Earlier in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, the Rivers State Government had dismissed claims that the government banned church services in the state, clarifying that the government only directed churches to ensure that they adhere to 50 worshippers at every church service in order not to fall foul of the social distancing rule.
Similarly, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance in respect of the state government’s directive on the closure of markets, saying that the state government is committed to checking the spread of Coronavirus in the state.
Speaking, last Saturday, after leading the state Task Force on Enforcement of the Ban on Public and Religious Gatherings to monitor compliance with the directive of the state government, Wike urged Rivers people to make sacrifices to ensure that the virus is contained.
He said: “We are satisfied with the level of compliance, even though there are those who thought that the closure of markets will not take effect from the first day.
“We will also go out tomorrow. After tomorrow, we will know if we will apply more stringent measures on Monday.
“What we are doing is to protect the lives of our people. Some people may talk about the inconvenience, but you must be alive to talk about food.
“This is the time everyone must make sacrifices. This disease affects the entire population. Whatever measures we bring out is to curtail the spread of this deadly virus.
“Today, we have gone round and we are happy with what we have seen. We will review tomorrow whether the churches are complying with what we agreed on.”
Wike said that his administration is taking very tough measures because Port Harcourt is a hub that attracts people from across the globe.
He said: “Port Harcourt is a hub where you have the oil companies and the rest of them. We have two seaports. It is a place where people like to come and do business.
“We think that the measures that we have put in place have checkmated the spread of the virus.
“While we pray to God for his intervention, we will continue to do our best to protect our people.”
The Rivers State governor stated that the state government will consider palliatives in the next phase of intervention, noting that the focus for now is to check the spread.
“When you talk of palliative, you are aware that the Federal Government gave Lagos State N10billion as support. And so many people in Lagos have also made various donations.
“But in this state, we have not received a dime from any person. For the time being, people should make the sacrifice.
“The issue of palliative will be in the second phase,” he said.
Meanwhile, the “Rivers State Government has opened the following COVID-19 Support Accounts: Rivers State Government COVID-19 Support Account: Access Bank Account No.:1384199858 and Zenith Bank Account No.: 1017227518.
“Interested individuals and organisations wishing to support the efforts of the government are advised to direct their contributions to the two accounts.”

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One Year Anniversary: Governor Wike Sues For Unity

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23 hours ago

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May 29, 2020

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Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has called on Rivers people no matter their political affiliation to join hands with his administration to build a stable and vibrant economy.

In a state-wide broadcast to mark the first year of his second term in office today, Governor Wike noted that the state can overcome the present global economic situation if citizens come together in unity of thought and purpose.

“Yes, we can if we resolve to downplay our individual differences and work together for the common good of our heritage, our lovely State, our communities and our people. As a government, we welcome constructive criticisms devoid of politics and mischief, because they serve to make us better performers.

“This is a time for governance, not politics,  and we welcome everyone on board to create an environment that promotes balanced economic growth, thriving private investments, boundless opportunity and a State we can truly call our pride and heritage.

 

“For us, nothing matters more than Rivers State, our people, our interests, our treasures, our enormous resources and assets, our accomplishments and our greatness,” he stated.

The Governor pointed out that within the last one year, his administration had embarked on urban renewal programme in the State capital and the construction of the multi-billion naira three flyover projects at Rebisi, Okoro-nu-Odo and Rumuogba.

He said that the dualization of Kira- Sapkenwa-Bori-Kono Road straddling three local government areas in Ogoni heartland has reached 92 percent completion.

The Oyibo(Mbano camp) road  to Iriebe linking Oyigbo and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas had been completed while Alesa-Agbonchia-Oyigbo, Rumuakunde/Isiodu and the second phase of Isiokpo community Roads had also been completed.

 

Rumuji-Ibaa-Isiokpo, Omoku-Egbema, Odufor-Akpoku-Umuoye, Ula Ehuda-Odioku-Anwunugboko-Ubeta-Ihuechi-Odiereke, Umueze-Umuogba-Umuokpurukpu-Umueke-Umunju-Umuelechi-Eberi, Eteo-Sime-Nonwa and Abonnema Ring Roads have reached various stages of completion.

In addition, the governor said, work has commenced on the expansion of the entire stretch of Ikwerre Road from Education Bus Stop to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa.

According to him, the long abandoned roads to the coastal communities of Opobo and Andoni in Opobo/Nkoro and Andoni Local Government Areas has almost been delivered with appreciable work already done on the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo Unity Road.

On healthcare delivery, the governor said the Mother and Child Hospital has been furnished, equipped and only undergoing necessary testing and preparations for commissioning.

 

The Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, he said, has been fully equipped and converted to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) leading to the accreditation of the programmes of that facility for the training of medical students by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.

Governor Wike stated that the regional referral hospitals in Degema, Bori and Degema are presently being equipped while structural work is on-going on the ones located in Omoku and Etche.

The State Chief Executive pointed out that funds had been released for comprehensive upgrade of Enitonnia High School, Comprehensive Secondary School, Borikiri, Obama High School, Degema, Community Secondary School, Tombia, Community Secondary School, Omuanwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area and  Kalabari National College, Buguma.

 

Others include,  Community Secondary School, Kugbo in Abua/Odual Local Government, Community Secondary School, Obeakpu in Oyigbo Local Government and Community Secondary School, Eteo in Eleme Local Government Area.

On Real Madrid Academy, Governor Wike announced that the construction of students’ hostels is progressing and that the school would soon open for simultaneous football and related training programmes.

He said in line with the promise to refocus on agricultural development, the Datco Cassava Processing Plant with a guaranteed off-market opportunities for 3000 local cassava farmers would soon be completed to stimulate cassava revolution in the state.

The governor regretted that despite the advisories and regulations on social distancing and compulsory wearing of face masks, most residents are flouting the directives to the collective peril of all.

 

“These are all irresponsible and risky behaviour in the face of the invisible and ravaging pandemic and the enormous threat it poses to public health and the safety of human lives.

“We shall bring the full weight of the law to bear on every recalcitrant person, business or institution, irrespective of status who decides to treat the existing orders and regulations for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 in our State with contempt.

“Government may be forced to reinstate lockdown if members of the public continue to flout and disregard the established regulations on social distancing and the compulsory wearing of face masks,” he said.

Governor Wike however, commiserated with the families of those that lost their loved ones to the pandemic and prayed for the peaceful repose of their innocent souls.

 

He said that while we pray for the quick success, for the global search, for vaccines, the responsibility still rests on everyone to strictly comply with the established mitigating measures.

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A Statewide Broadcast By His Excellency Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, GSSRS, POS, To Mark The First Year Of His Second Term In Office …My Dear Good People of Rivers State

Published

24 hours ago

on

May 29, 2020

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Today marks the 1st year anniversary of our 2nd term in office. Normally, we should be celebrating this important milestone with the commissioning of completed projects and correlated social activities.
2. But these are abnormal times and moments like this call for subdued feelings and thankful prayers to God for His abundant grace and mercy upon our State and on our lives.
3. As at today, we’ve painfully lost twelve persons, and probably more, to the death pangs of the coronavirus. For us, every life matters; and every life lost is a monumental tragedy, not only to the immediate families, but also, to all of humanity.
4. While we therefore pray for the peaceful repose of these innocent souls whose lives and dreams were cut short by this vicious enemy, our hearts and sympathies go to their families, dependants, friends and colleagues for the irreparable loss.
5. In the last six months, the coronavirus has wrought nothing but pain, sorrow and destruction on humankind.  And it is most unfortunate that the speed and vigour of our emergency response measures have not succeeded in stopping this virus from spreading in our State.
6. The reality therefore, is that we must all accept to live with this virus and its consequences until an effective vaccine is discovered.
7. We pray for the quick success for the global search for vaccines and therapeutics, but until then, the responsibility is still on every one of us to strictly and effectively comply with the established mitigating measures.
8. Regrettably, we have observed that the advisories, directives and regulations on social distancing and the compulsory wearing of face masks are being ignored at alarming proportions in the State, much to our collective discomfort and peril.
9. So many people are moving about on our streets and into other public places without face masks. We have sighted businesses, including banks and shopping centres attending to customers without face masks or maintaining physical distancing.
10. We have also seen people on our streets buying and selling without face masks or observing social distancing in clear disregard of the ban on clustered trading activities and unauthorized social gatherings.
11. These are all very irresponsible and risky behaviour in the face of the invisible and ravaging pandemic and the enormous threat it poses to public health and the safety of human lives.
12. Those who continue to exhibit or encourage such callous behaviour or trivialize the fatal power of this virus or still live in denial of its existence are either insane or the worst enemies of mankind.
13. Believe it or not, the transmission of this pandemic depends on our own individual behaviour, actions or inactions.
14. We must therefore all strive to help ourselves, our families, our communities and our State by complying religiously with the laid down regulations and advisories on social distancing and wearing of face masks.
15. Let me therefore, warn us again, that enough is enough. We shall bring the full weight of the law to bear on every recalcitrant person, business or institution, irrespective of status or station who decides to treat the existing orders and regulations for mitigating the spread of covid-19 in our State with contempt.
16. While we have reserved the recourse to total lockdown for obvious reasons, it appears we may be forced to reinstate this drastic measure, sooner than later, if members of the public continue to flout, disregard and or abuse the established regulations on social distancing and the compulsory wearing of face masks in the State.
17. Fellow Rivers people,
18. Let us continue to renew our faith in God’s abundant grace and collectively adjust to the new reality with abiding hope in the brightness of our future despite what has befallen us at the moment.
19. Exactly one year ago, we signed the peoples’ social contract, released our development blue-print for our second term in office, and reiterated our commitment and determination to work and serve our people as if we were on our first term.
20. One year into our second term, we are happy and proud to say that God has helped us to fulfil most of the promises that we made in our inaugural address.
21. The urban renewal programme in the capital city is progressing as the restoration works, including underground drains, sidewalks, green areas and street lights on most of the roads in both the old and new Government Reservation Areas are at very advanced stages of completion.
22. The construction of the multi-billion-naira three flyover projects at Rebisi, Okoro-nu-odo and Rumuogba is progressing simultaneously and expected to be delivered within schedule by Julius Berger Nigeria Limited.
23. Work on the construction of the 4th flyover bridge across GRA junction and accompanying dualization of Ezimgbu (Mummy B) road are also underway.
24. The dualization of Tombia Extension, GRA to link Ikwerre road is progressing satisfactorily and will be delivered on schedule.
25. The dualization of Kira – Sapkenwa – Bori – Kono, straddling three Local Government Areas in Ogoni heartland has reached 92 per cent completion.
26. Construction of Oyigbo (Mbano camp) to Iriebe, linking Oyigbo and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of the State, has been completed.
27. Also completed virtually, are Alesa- Agbonchia – Oyigbo road linking Eleme and Oyigbo Local Government Areas of the State; and the Rumuakunde and Isioudu communities’ roads in Emohua Local Government Areas of the State.
28. Similarly, the 2nd phase of Isiokpo community internal roads in Ikwerre Local Government Areas has been completed.
29. Construction works on the 16.85 kilometers Rumuji – Ibaa – Isiokpo road in Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas have reached 90 percent completion level, while the dualization of the 23 kilometers Omoku – Egbema road in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area has progressed beyond 50 per cent.
30. Also, the 21.3 kilometers Odufor/Akpoku/Umuoye road in Etche Local Government Area has crossed 70 percent construction level, while the Aker-base road in Obio/Akpor Local Government, the Ula Ehuda-Odioku-Anwunugboko-Ubeta-Ihuechi-Odiereke road, the Odiokwu internal road network in Ahoada West Area as well as the Abonnema ring road in Akuku Toru Local Government Area, and the Umuma road in Omuma Local Government Area, and the Sime – Eteo – Nonwa road connecting Tai and Eleme Local Government Areas, have all progressed to between 80 and 85 percent completion.
31. By God’s special grace we have almost delivered on our promise to complete the long-abandoned roads to the coastal communities of Opobo and Andoni in Opobo/Nkoro and Andoni Local Government Areas of the State with appreciable work already done on the Ogoni – Andoni – Opobo (Unity) road.
32. Indeed I feel highly elated and fulfilled to have led the Government that have actualized the age-long yearnings of the indigenes and residents of these local government areas to connect and access the rest of the State by tarred road.
33. Apart from roads, we also made significant progress in the last one year on the progressive delivery of healthcare and education infrastructure and services.
34. The mother and child hospital is virtually completed, fully furnished, equipped and only undergoing necessary testings and preparations for commissioning. Also completed is the comprehensive health centre at Odiokwu in Ahoada West Local Government Area.
35. We fully built, completely equipped and converted the former Braithwaite Memorial Hospital to the Rivers State university Teaching Hospital, which is reckoned as one the best in the country, leading to the accreditation of the programmes of that facility for the training of medical students by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria.
 36. Furthermore, the regional referral hospitals in Degema and Bori in Degema and Khana Local Government Areas respectively are presently being furnished and equipped, while structural work is continuing on the ones located in Omoku and Okehi in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Etche Local Government areas.
37. All across the State, our strategic intervention in the restoration, upgrade and expansion of secondary schools across the State continues to deliver remarkable results and improvements in the quality of public education system.
38. We have released funds for the comprehensive restoration and upgrade of scores of dilapidated secondary schools across the State, including: Enitonna High School and Government Comprehensive High School, Borikiri in Port Harcourt Local Government Area, Obama High School, Degema and Model Secondary School, Tombia, all in Degema Local Government Area, as well as Community Secondary School, Omuanwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area, Kalabari National College, Buguma in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Community Secondary School, Kugbo in Abua/Odual Local Government Area, Community Secondary School, Obeakpu in Oyigbo Local Government Area, and Community Secondary Schoo, Eteo in Eleme Local Government Area, which is 85 per cent completed
39. The construction of students’ hostels for the Real Madrid Football Academy is progressing very well and the academy will soon open its doors for simultaneous academic and football and related training and mentoring programmes.
40. And in line with our promise to refocus on agricultural development, we are at the verge of completing the Datco cassava processing plant, with guaranteed off-taker opportunities for over 3000 local cassava farmers, and inspiring capacity to stimulate the cassava revolution in the State and related industries and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs for our people.
 41. In the last one year of our second tenure, we have kept our promise, worked hard and achieved more with less resources, provided first-class socio-economic infrastructure and kept our State and businesses safe, secure.
42. As we continue on this progressive trajectory into the second year, we can only promise to recommit ourselves to work harder and deliver greater development to our people.
43. We know it is not going to be easy given the very poor state of the national economy and the spinoff effects on ours.
44. But, tough times like this call for unity of thought, unity of purpose and unity of actions; believing in ourselves and in our ability to overcome all the challenges that confront us as a State and as a people.
45. Yes, we can, if we resolve to downplay our individual differences and work together for the common good of our heritage, our lovely State, our communities and our people.
46. As a government, we welcome constructive and frank criticisms devoid of politics and mischievousness, because they serve to make us better performers.
47. At any rate, this is a time for governance, not for politics, and we welcome everyone onboard to enable us to create an environment that promotes balanced economic growth, thriving private investments and good jobs; to build a State of shared prosperity; a place of boundless opportunity for all residents; and a State we can truly call our native home, our pride, our heritage, while looking into the future with optimism.
48. For us, nothing matters more than Rivers State, our people, our interests, our treasures, our enormous resources and assets, our accomplishments and our greatness.
49. And so, as we look forward to the next twelve months, all I can say is that we are inspired by your continuous support and prayers to believe that our best days are ahead of us, and working together, we will surely do more to move Rivers State forward.
50. Finally, let us not forget that coronavirus is real. Let us all be responsible, stay safe and be alive to fulfil the promise of God in our lives.
51. Thank you and may God continue to bless us all and bless our dear Rivers State.
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Rivers State Set To Inaugurate Cassava Plant …To Employ 4,500 Persons

Published

1 day ago

on

May 29, 2020

By

Rivers States Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Managing Director, Rivers State Cassava Processing Company, Mr. Reuben Giesen.(middle) Hon. Fred Kpakol Commissioner for Agriculture Rivers State.

The Rivers  State Cassava Processing Company located at Afam, Oyigbo Local Government Area will soon come on stream.

Governor Nyesom Wike who stated this Thursday after inspecting the plant, pointed out that the company when fully operational would employ 4,500 persons and also boost agriculture in the state.

He stated that the State Government has 70 percent equity share in the project which is in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company(SPDC) of Nigeria.

“We are quite happy that this project which was initiated by the previous administration in 2012 and abandoned has come to the stage of completion.

“When we came on board and saw the usefulness of this project to our economy, we did not hesitate to release funds to complete it.

 

“As you can see this  project which is about 90 percent complete would have been commissioned this month if not for the COVID-19 pandemic which has  negatively impacted global economy.

“Let me commend the management of this plant for  fast-tracking the completion and the novel initiative that will use mobile machines to collect cassava from the farmers at their various clusters.

“This, will no doubt, reduce the challenge of logistics and increase farmer participation, ” the governor stated.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the Rivers State Cassava Processing Company, Ruben Giesen noted that the cassava processing plant when completed would increase income for small holder farmers by providing an enabling environment for them to sell their cassava tubers.

 

He also disclosed that the plant would produce about 45 thousand metric tons of cassava flour daily while about 12 thousand metric tons of cassava tubers would be needed for collection by its mobile plants from farmers around the state for processing.

Mr. Giesen commended the State Governor for embarking on the project, which he described as the first of its kind in sub-saharan Africa.

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