Rivers State Governor,\u00a0 Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has charged Government
\nRecognised Traditional Rulers to set up Task Force in the respective
\ncommunities to enforce the closure of markets,\u00a0 hotels and beer parlours
\nacross the State.<\/p>\n
Addressing Government Recognised Traditional Rulers at the Government
\nHouse, Port Harcourt on Tuesday,\u00a0 Governor Wike said the shutdown is
\nnecessary\u00a0 to slowdown the spread of coronavirus.<\/p>\n
He said: “Set up your own Task Force in your respective domains\u00a0 and
\nimplement the closure of markets,\u00a0 hotels and beer parlours.<\/p>\n
“This Task Force is strictly for COVID-19.\u00a0 The State Government will
\nsupport all Traditional Rulers to carry out these responsibilities”.<\/p>\n
Governor Wike appealed to the Traditional Rulers to work with his
\nadministration to check the transmission of coronavirus.<\/p>\n
The Governor also called on Council Chairmen to ensure that they support
\nthe Traditional Rulers to deliver on the directive.<\/p>\n
The Rivers State Governor regretted that the Federal Government has
\nstarted playing double standards with the issue of relocation of
\nAlmajiris.<\/p>\n
He said: “When they started relocating the Almajiris in the north, the
\nFederal Government said nothing. Immediately they heard that we have
\nrelocated some almajiris,\u00a0 they came up with the declaration that it is
\nagainst the inter-state movement.\u00a0 Why this double standard?”<\/p>\n
Governor Wike noted that his administration has continued to work on the
\nstate’s borders to ensure that they remain closed. He charged Local
\nGovernment Chairmen to take more stringent measures to stop the influx
\nof persons.<\/p>\n
The Governor warned that from Thursday any shop that opens in Obio\/Akpor
\nor Port Harcourt Local Government Area,\u00a0 the building would be
\ndemolished.<\/p>\n
On the closure of markets, Governor Wike said that the State Food
\nPurchasing Committee headed by the Secretary to the Rivers State
\nGovernment will purchase all the foodstuffs and distribute them to the
\npeople.<\/p>\n
“We will buy off all the foods in the markets and distribute to our
\npeople.\u00a0 All you need is to liaise with the office of the Secretary to
\nthe Rivers State Government and we will buy and distribute.\u00a0 No Market
\nshould be open anywhere in the state,” he said.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the compulsory use of face masks,\u00a0 Governor Wike said that
\nhe will use politicians and Traditional Rulers as examples.<\/p>\n
“I want to use politicians and Traditional Rulers as examples if they
\nfail to wear face masks in their cars. If you are not wearing face masks
\nin your cars, you will be arrested and prosecuted,” he said.<\/p>\n
Governor Wike advised Rivers people not to wait for the support of
\nFederal Government,\u00a0 but concentrate on the strategies to reduce the
\nspread of the virus.<\/p>\n
He said that anywhere a market continues to operate in the state, the
\nTraditional Ruler will lose his recognition.<\/p>\n
“Go home and tell your people,\u00a0 anywhere I see a market operating, the
\nTraditional Ruler will lose his recognition.<\/p>\n
“We must check people entering our State and don’t wait for the support
\nof the Federal Government.\u00a0 Lets work to reduce the number.<\/p>\n
“As the hotels remain closed,\u00a0 those coming in will have nowhere to
\nstay.\u00a0 When we are safe, we can enjoy what we can. I am not doing this
\nbecause I hate anyone,\u00a0 but it is for the protection of our people.<\/p>\n
No human being will see death and embrace it. We cannot kill ourselves.
\nThe only solution is ensure Social Distancing and proper hygiene”.<\/p>\n
Responding,\u00a0 Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers,
\nKing Douglas Dandeson Jaja thanked the Rivers State Governor for
\ninvolving the Traditional Rulers in the fight against coronavirus.<\/p>\n
He assured the Rivers State Governor that the Traditional Rulers will
\nlive up to his expectations by carrying out the State Government’s
\ndirective.<\/p>\n
King Jaja thanked\u00a0 Governor Wike for his Palliatives to all the 23 Local
\nGovernment Areas of the State.<\/p>\n
Rivers State Governor,\u00a0 Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has charged Government Recognised Traditional Rulers to set up Task Force in the respective communities to enforce the closure of markets,\u00a0 hotels and beer…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":73219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-73217","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-other-news"],"yoast_head":"\n