{"id":72376,"date":"2020-03-20T17:30:24","date_gmt":"2020-03-20T16:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/?p=72376"},"modified":"2020-03-20T17:30:24","modified_gmt":"2020-03-20T16:30:24","slug":"rivers-state-government-closes-schools-directs-religious-organisations-to-restrict-their-activities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pointblanknews.com\/pbn\/news\/rivers-state-government-closes-schools-directs-religious-organisations-to-restrict-their-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"Rivers State Government closes schools, directs religious organisations to restrict their activities"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The Rivers State Government has closed all schools in the state and
\ndirected all religious organisations to restrict their activities as a
\nresult of the global coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n

In a statewide broadcast on Friday,\u00a0 Rivers State Governor,\u00a0 Nyesom
\nEzenwo Wike said that the action was taken in the interest of Rivers
\nState.<\/p>\n

The closure affects public and private Primary,\u00a0 Secondary and Tertiary
\nInstitutions.<\/p>\n

He said: “Based on the above precautionary measures, the State can be
\ndescribed to be at an alert state. To further strengthen our resolve to
\nprotect our citizens, the State Government has taken the following
\ndecisions:<\/p>\n

“1. All Schools in the State are to be closed down with effect from
\nMonday, March 23, 2020.<\/p>\n

2. All Religious Organisations are to restrict their activities.”<\/p>\n

Governor Wike said that his administration took the decision with a deep
\nsense of responsibility.<\/p>\n

He said: “As you are aware, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has
\ndescribed coronavirus as a global pandemic. This development calls for
\ncollective action by all well-meaning citizens.<\/p>\n

“As a responsive government, even though we have not had a confirmed
\ncase of coronavirus, we did not rest on our oars as we set-up a Five-man
\nInter-ministerial committee to carry out an aggressive public
\nenlightenment that will protect all those living and doing business in
\nthe State from the disease.<\/p>\n

“This decision was taken because we understand that we are the
\nheadquarters of the Hydrocarbon Industry and also a major commercial hub
\nin the country that attracts people from all walks of life.”<\/p>\n

The Rivers State Governor noted that with actions taken, the State is
\nalert to address any situation.<\/p>\n

“The committee had since its inauguration carried out Stakeholder
\nEngagement with Community Development Committees, Religious Groups,
\nPrincipals and Head teachers of schools, Traders Association, National
\nUnion of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Military, Paramilitary, Police,
\nInternational Oil Companies and The Association of Local Government
\nChairmen of Nigeria (ALGON).<\/p>\n

“In addition to this, radio and television jingles, flyers and
\nbillboards have been fully utilised by the committee to pass the
\nprevention message to all the nooks and crannies of the State.”<\/p>\n

The Governor added:\u00a0 “The State Ministry of Health has also been
\nempowered to set up intervention resources:<\/p>\n

“i. 158 Surveillance and Ad-hoc personnel have been trained.<\/p>\n

“ii. One Treatment Centre, Holding Centers in the Two Teaching Hospitals
\nand all General Hospitals in the State are fully functional.<\/p>\n

“iii. All Health Workers, both private and public have been trained and
\nbriefed on Infection Control Measures and appropriate use of Personal
\nProtective Equipment (PPE),Hand Sanitizers have been procured,\u00a0 Infrared
\nthermometers have been procured and Stockpiling of other commodities and
\nequipment and\u00a0 we have redoubled surveillance at our Airports, Seaports,
\nWaterways and Land routes.”<\/p>\n

Governor Wike pleaded for the understanding of Rivers people.<\/p>\n

He said: “My dear good people of Rivers State, as painful as these
\ndecisions may seem,\u00a0 it is a sacrifice we must make to protect ourselves
\nin the face of recent developments.<\/p>\n

“Let me assure all those resident in the State, that the State
\nGovernment under my leadership is ready and willing to protect their
\nlives at all times.<\/p>\n

“May I therefore call for the understanding and collective support of
\nall and sundry to keep our State safe from coronavirus.
\nTogether, we shall win with God on our side.”<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Rivers State Government has closed all schools in the state and directed all religious organisations to restrict their activities as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic. 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