Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has charged Government
Recognised Traditional Rulers to set up Task Force in the respective
communities to enforce the closure of markets, hotels and beer parlours
across the State.
Addressing Government Recognised Traditional Rulers at the Government
House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Governor Wike said the shutdown is
necessary to slowdown the spread of coronavirus.
He said: “Set up your own Task Force in your respective domains and
implement the closure of markets, hotels and beer parlours.
“This Task Force is strictly for COVID-19. The State Government will
support all Traditional Rulers to carry out these responsibilities”.
Governor Wike appealed to the Traditional Rulers to work with his
administration to check the transmission of coronavirus.
The Governor also called on Council Chairmen to ensure that they support
the Traditional Rulers to deliver on the directive.
The Rivers State Governor regretted that the Federal Government has
started playing double standards with the issue of relocation of
Almajiris.
He said: “When they started relocating the Almajiris in the north, the
Federal Government said nothing. Immediately they heard that we have
relocated some almajiris, they came up with the declaration that it is
against the inter-state movement. Why this double standard?”
Governor Wike noted that his administration has continued to work on the
state’s borders to ensure that they remain closed. He charged Local
Government Chairmen to take more stringent measures to stop the influx
of persons.
The Governor warned that from Thursday any shop that opens in Obio/Akpor
or Port Harcourt Local Government Area, the building would be
demolished.
On the closure of markets, Governor Wike said that the State Food
Purchasing Committee headed by the Secretary to the Rivers State
Government will purchase all the foodstuffs and distribute them to the
people.
“We will buy off all the foods in the markets and distribute to our
people. All you need is to liaise with the office of the Secretary to
the Rivers State Government and we will buy and distribute. No Market
should be open anywhere in the state,” he said.
Commenting on the compulsory use of face masks, Governor Wike said that
he will use politicians and Traditional Rulers as examples.
“I want to use politicians and Traditional Rulers as examples if they
fail to wear face masks in their cars. If you are not wearing face masks
in your cars, you will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.
Governor Wike advised Rivers people not to wait for the support of
Federal Government, but concentrate on the strategies to reduce the
spread of the virus.
He said that anywhere a market continues to operate in the state, the
Traditional Ruler will lose his recognition.
“Go home and tell your people, anywhere I see a market operating, the
Traditional Ruler will lose his recognition.
“We must check people entering our State and don’t wait for the support
of the Federal Government. Lets work to reduce the number.
“As the hotels remain closed, those coming in will have nowhere to
stay. When we are safe, we can enjoy what we can. I am not doing this
because I hate anyone, but it is for the protection of our people.
No human being will see death and embrace it. We cannot kill ourselves.
The only solution is ensure Social Distancing and proper hygiene”.
Responding, Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers,
King Douglas Dandeson Jaja thanked the Rivers State Governor for
involving the Traditional Rulers in the fight against coronavirus.
He assured the Rivers State Governor that the Traditional Rulers will
live up to his expectations by carrying out the State Government’s
directive.
King Jaja thanked Governor Wike for his Palliatives to all the 23 Local
Government Areas of the State.