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Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt LGAs Locked Down To Protect Rivers People, Says Governor Wike
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the lockdown of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas was not targeted at suffering the people, but aimed at protecting Rivers people from coronavirus.
Speaking during a live phone-in programme on Rhythm FM Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Governor Wike said all measures put in place by his administration have been to check the spread of coronavirus.
He said: “We have to lockdown Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas in the interest of our people. While individuals feel it, the State Government is also affected because it loses revenue. But lives must be protected. ”
Governor Wike urged Rivers people to continue to pray for the success of the State Government at this crucial time.
He said: “We need continuous prayers to succeed. We have handed this state to God. We can only do much, but God will save our people”.
Governor Wike said the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that agriculture and health are key. He said the State Government will work towards further growth in that direction.
“Agriculture is key. We must support our farmers and Fishermen to produce more,” he said.
The Governor said: “Everyone should support the State Government to tackle COVID-19. This is not a period of criticism.
“This is a period where all of us must come together, irrespective of political parties to stop the spread of the virus.
“I thank Rivers people for their support. It has been amazing. I am not moved by the unfounded criticism of a few. I am concerned about the protection of the vast majority of Rivers people, because I have their mandate.”
Governor Wike urged churches to fellowship online and pray for the State within the period. He said that basically, the State Government is taking precautionary measures to protect Rivers people.
He advised Rivers people to make sacrifices at this period. He said food can never be enough, but the State Government will sustain its delivery of Palliatives.
While commending the State Palliatives Committee, Governor Wike said more foodstuffs will be distributed to Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor and the other local government areas.
Responding to a question, Governor Wike said that the Federal Government is yet to disburse any fund to the Rivers State Government in relation to the fight against coronavirus.
He said that the State Government rejected the 1800 bags of rice supplied because they have since expired.
On when the lockdown will be lifted, Governor Wike said the State Security Council will regularly meet to review the situation and take a decision.
He said that in order to check the sabotage of the lockdown, his administration has employed 300 operatives to assist in the enforcement of the lockdown.
The Governor reiterated that his administration has remained committed to supporting Federal Government Agencies with finance and logistics. He blamed the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital management for playing unnecessary politics at this critical time.
Responding to a question by a caller, Governor Wike said that there was no conflict with Shell Petroleum Development Company. He said he is always in communication with the Managing Director of Shell .
Commenting on those allowed to move during the lockdown, he said that those on essential duties must carry their identification and must be on duty.
He said that the State Government is just getting its laboratory, because it takes the involvement of the Federal Government for the machines to be acquired.
He said that his administration will not all the influx of people into the State.
Governor Wike said there is no reason to play politics with the pandemic, because it is not a respecter of persons.
He pointed out that in Bayelsa State , Timipre Sylva who promoted the candidacy of APC’s David Lyon, attracted a Hospital of Infectious diseases to his state.
“Timipre brought Lyon, who won an election, but was sacked by the Supreme Court. But Sylva went ahead to attract a specialist hospital to Bayelsa despite political differences.
“This pandemic has nothing to do with whether or not you supported President Buhari . Politics should be set aside. Knowing that our economy is dependent on oil, Rivers State be the first place for intervention.
“My first priority is to protect the lives of Rivers people. We haven’t locked down the towns before. This is not for anyone to suffer. I am appealing to our people to bear. If we don’t do anything now, our people will suffer.
“The population of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas is high. If it hits us, we will have serious problems. The action is to help our people,” he said.
The Governor added that when the state starts mass testing, the number of those who will text positive will be high.
He emphasised that the Rivers State has not received any assistance from the Federal Government in relation to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Governor reminded Rivers people that coronavirus spiked because the Federal Government failed to close the border and airspace on time.
He recalled that even Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwolu said that the late Border and airspace Closure was the responsible to the explosion of Coronavirus.
He said: “We are taking a proactive measure. We set up border Closure, but we have been sabotaged by security agencies “.
He said that no Government will take tough measures without considering the welfare of the people.
Governor Wike said that the phone-in programme was an opportunity to interact with Rivers people who gave him the mandate to protect them.
He said that the entire world is affected by the pandemic, hence the need to be proactive at all times.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that peace has prevailed because he draws strength from God to resist insults and tantrums thrown at him while frustrating attempts by some disgruntled persons who wanted to plunge the State into unending crisis.
The Governor also said that because he has anchored his Government on promoting peace, the enabling atmosphere has been provided for investments and sustainable development to flourish.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received a delegation of members of the Bishops and Gospel Ministers’ Association International Incorporated, Rivers State Chapter, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, Governor Fubara said while most people took his meekness for weakness, his stance on peace has unarguably enhanced harmonious atmosphere of concord as residents sleep with their two eyes closed, and investors and shareholders are happy with the returns on investment.
He said, “Before, what they hear of Rivers State is that they are fighting, and some genuine investors will not come. Some people even ask you: How are you coping in Rivers State?
“But now”, he asserted: “The Governor has brought about a lot of changes in the State. One of the most important things is that he has changed the negative narrative. It is no longer Rivers of blood. It is now Rivers of peace.
“We are enjoying our lives here. Why? Because there is a change in the narrative. We have peace. The Governor is, as much as possible, absorbing any level of insult at him only for one purpose: that Rivers State may have peace; that we may grow; that this state will experience genuine development.”
Governor Fubara urged them, as members of the Christian family in the State, to continue to pray for the State and the Government so that the enemies of the State will be put to greater shame.
“This peace is what I want you to embrace. Go and continue to pray, because when the sower of the seed went and sowed, the enemy went in the night and sowed tares inside there. But the Governor is sowing peace.
“When I listened to the leader of the team, His Grace Eddy Ogbonda, he said you came all the way from Eleme Junction, and stopped at major junctions, and you uttered prayers for the peace of Rivers State.”
He also said: “I, hereby want to thank you for identifying with the Governor at a time like this. At a time when it looks as if someone wants the Governor’s peace posture misunderstood as weakness.
“When someone has the strength to fight back, but refuses to fight back. That is a bigger strength; that power of restrain does not just come, it can only come from God.
“You cannot give peace, if you do not have peace within you. The Governor is not interested in any form of trouble or violence. What he is interested in is known, and it is: let there be peace in Rivers State,” he said.
In his address, leader of the group, Archbishop Eddy Ogbonda, said they had observed a week-long intensive prayers that culminated into a peace rally, which brought them to Government House, and assured the Governor that God will continue to give him victory over his adversaries while preserving Rivers State.
“It is Rivers State Prophetic Prayer Convocation and Rally 2024 with the theme: ‘Peace be still’. Of a truth, everyone of us understands that we live in a time when we need peace much more than any other thing.
“Rivers State needs peace. Everyone as individuals need peace. The country needs peace, and the world at large needs peace. So, we are here to do a peace march. We pray that God will command His peace to reign in Rivers State,” he said.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has stated that hotels, schools, and other establishments that accept payments in dollars from their customers are at risk of facing arrest.
The Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, said this in the agency’s publication called EFCC Alert on Monday, adding that action would be taken against individuals involved in the dollarisation of the economy.
According to him, the exception is if foreigners come in to transact business and the only means of transacting is their credit card and dollar but to charge local customers in dollars or other foreign currencies would no longer be allowed.
He said charging local activities and customers in dollars is against Nigeria’s constitution.
The EFCC chairman said, “Schools that charge Nigerians in dollar, supermarkets that trade in dollar, estate developers that sell their property in dollar, hotels that are invoicing in dollar, we are coming after you and we have made arrests in that area.
“Yes, if foreigners are coming in and the only means of transacting is their credit card, and dollar, why not? You will get that.
“But document it properly as against selling things within the system, local economy and you will be using dollar as the medium of exchange, it is illegal.
“Our law does not allow for that. And we have also affected some arrests.”
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has enjoined Muslim faithful to remain steadfast to the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan.
Governor Fubara stated this in his message of felicitations to Muslims as they celebrate the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr Sallah, which marks the end of the one-month Ramadan fasting.
The Governor emphasised the importance for Muslims to also uphold the tenets of Islam by exhibiting the fear of God and showing piety in their daily work.
Governor Fubara said, “We must all continue in the good attributes imbibed during the holy month of Ramadan as directed by God through His Prophet, so as to ensure peace, unity and harmony in the society for a better future.”
While praying that the essence of the festival offers them happiness, peace and prosperity in all aspects of life, Governor Fubara said he recognises and appreciates the critical role that the Muslim community continues to play in the development of Rivers State, and indeed, Nigeria at large.
Governor Fubara charged them to remain unwavering and steadfast in their commitment and positive contributions to advance the development of the State and the country.
“I enjoin you all in the State to remain calm, be patient and continue to do what is right,” the Governor added.
He wished the Muslim faithful in the State and across the country a happy Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
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