Mpigi, Dekor Defend Wike’s Action Against Caverton …Insist FG Only After Economic Gains

Two prominent lawmakers in the National Assembly, Senator Barinada Mpigi and Rt Hon. Dumnamene Dekor, have criticised the Federal Government for defending Caverton Helicopters’ disregard of the Rivers State Government’s regulations on the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the State.
Mpigi, who is the Senator representing Rivers South East District in the Senate and Deekor, who is the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives made their positions known in separate statements made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt.
Recall that the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika had reportedly queried the rights of the Rivers State Government in sanctioning the pilots of Carveton Helicopters; insisting that the Federal Government approved the flight of Carveton Helicopters into the State in pursuit of improving the nation’s revenue base due to the shortfall in global crude oil prices.
But Mpigi said Sirika seems oblivious that State Governments across the country including, Rivers had put stringent measures in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.
“So we see the attempt by the Minister of Aviation to single out Rivers state for a contest of rights, without recourse to the State’s constitutional right to issue regulations towards combating the COVID-19 pandemic as an attempt by the federal government to sacrifice the lives and well being of Rivers people on the altar of economic considerations.

By:  Dennis Naku