The Executive Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has told the people of the State in particular and Nigerians in general to hold the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari responsible if COVID-19 increases in the State.
Wike uttered the statement during his state broadcast yesterday. He added that nobody exhibit surprise if the number of coronavirus cases rise in the coming weeks in Rivers.
He said: “It has become imperative to alert the state and, indeed, the entire world to the fact that a dangerous escalation of COVID-19 pandemic in Rivers State looms large on our horizon due largely to the hypocrisy of the Federal Government and the continuous acts of willful sabotage by security agencies.”
He said the gravity of their present predicament can not be overstated for this reason and added that “nobody should be surprised should Rivers State witness exponential increases in the infection and spread of COVID-19 cases in the days and weeks ahead as we begin intense testing.”
Wike however said that his administration remains resolved and committed to be strong and total.
He urged the residents of the State to view coronavirus as an issue of life and death by adhering to the government’s directives to stay at home so as to protect themselves, their family members and Rivers State from the spread of the pandemic.
He said that staying at home and staying safe were the available options to curb the disease.
The Governor disclosed further that the borders of Rivers State are continually encountering acts of compromise by security operatives who allow and aid people with high risk COVID-19 status into Rivers State.
He added: “Recently, we intercepted a lorry-load of livestock with 22 persons who bribed their ways into Rivers State from as far as Adamawa State despite the Federal Government’s claimed restriction on inter-state travels and our definitive closure of all entry routes into the state.”
