COVID-19: We Won’t Wait For FG To Provide Palliatives For Rivers People – Wike

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared that the state government would not wait for the Federal Government in its commitment to provide palliatives for Rivers people during the trying period of checking the spread of Coronavirus.
Wike also announced the one-month suspension of the local government council chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Area for failing to show commitment in the fight against Coronavirus.
Inaugurating a 33-man Committee to Purchase Foodstuffs from Farmers/Fishermen for Distribution to Rivers people, yesterday, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor said that the state government was making the right sacrifice for Rivers people.
The governor said: “We are not waiting for the Federal Government to assist us. We are making the right sacrifices to promote the welfare of our people.”
He directed members of the committee to work for the people of Rivers State by deploying the allocated funds for the good of Rivers people, stressing, “It is the duty of this committee to ensure that this policy succeeds. We must not fold our hands at this time”.
The governor said that the entire world was in a war situation and tough measures must be taken to tackle the novel Coronavirus outbreak.
He said: “Our goal is to ensure that no agricultural produce like yam, garri, plantain, palm oil and fish leaves our state during this period.
“While the farmers and fishermen will make their profits, the less privileged will have enough food supply for their families.”
Responding on behalf of members of the committee, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, assured the Rivers State governor that the committee would deliver in line with its terms of reference.
Danagogo said: “We appreciate the magnitude of this assignment and the committee will hit the ground running.”
He said that the committee would ensure that Rivers people benefit from the outstanding policy of Governor Nyesom Wike to assist them during the Coronavirus crisis.
Danagogo said that the Rivers State governor has continued to lead the way in the fight against Coronavirus, emphasising that when the governor closed the borders, he was criticised, but later copied by other states.
The committee later held its inaugural meeting after its inauguration by the governor.