Health Workers Protest: RSG Dismisses Mpigi’s Comments

The Special Adviser to Governor Nyesom Wike on Media and Publicity, Opunabo Inko-Tariah, has criticised All Progressives Congress (APC), former House of Representatives member representing Oyigbo, Tai and Eleme Federal Constituency, Hon Barry Mpigi, over claims that the state was still comatose as a result of security challenges.
Inko-Tariah in a statement, yesterday, said Mpigi spoke out of selfishness and bitterness, recalling that as a former National Assembly member, who participated in the last regime, he has no moral ground following the problems left behind by the immediate past administration.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity reminded the ex-National Assembly member that the closure of courts and non-payments of workers’ salaries contributed to the security challenges the state was facing today.
“The parlous state in which Rivers people find themselves today is actuated by the closure of courts by Amaechi as aggrieved persons who would have ventilated their grievances in the law courts, resorted to various expeditions to settle scores, including but not restricted to violence with the use of lethal weapons.”
Inko-Tariah further stated that the failure of the Amaechi-led administration to pay workers’ salaries heightened the security challenge as parents and guardians could not live up to their responsibilities hence forcing their kids and wards into nefarious activities.
Not deterred by the situation he found on ground as he assumed office on May 29th, he explained that Governor Wike commenced efforts in tackling the security situation by paying backlog of salaries and also purchased 64 security patrol vehicles to assist security agencies in combating crime.
The governor’s spokesman, while urging members of the public to disregard Mpigi’s comments, said there is no modicum of truth in what the former lawmaker had said.
Responding to demands by protesting emergency health workers over 10 months’ arrears owed them, Inko -Tariah assured them that government is doing all it can to offset the salaries, calling on them to remain calm.