COVID -19: Wike Suspends LG Chairman, Imposes Curfew

Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike suspended Obio-Akpor’s local government area chairman and his deputy for failing to implement his guidelines to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic on the council.

The governor, in a statement signed by his special media assistant, Simeon Nwakaudu, also imposed dusk at dawn at the Obiri-Ikwerre Junction curfew for Choba and the Education Bus Stop for Agip Junction in Port Harcourt.

Wike in a broadcast in Port Harcourt said the State Security Council reached the decision after monitoring compliance with government guidelines against COVID-19.

The governor granted exemptions to different categories of people after the closure of borders and other guidelines.

He said the restrictive orders would not affect medical and pharmaceutical personnel, food and beverages, oil and essential gas staff, oil and media product workers and newspaper distributors.

He said: “All of these categories of employees must identify themselves with valid identity cards. “From Tuesday, March 31, 2020, there will be a curfew at dawn from the Obiri-Ikwerre crossing (Ozuoba, Rumualogu) to Choba and from the educational bus stop to the Agip crossing, Ikwerre road .

”All beer parlor and public bars are closed, because they suddenly became an extension of nightclubs that were previously closed. Any beer hall or public drink joint that is open will be acquired by the State Government.

“All landlords are advised to advise their tenants who use their properties as beer halls or public bars to adhere to this directive. Traditional government officials, youth leaders and community development committees must ensure that the beer houses and public bars in their areas remain closed.

“Any traditional ruler who allows the opening of markets in his domain will be deposed.

The government is investigating the illegal operation of night markets in the Woji and Elelenwo communities. Additional violations by residents of these two communities will attract the declaration of curfew. ”

Wike said further violations of the directive for markets to remain closed would attract a curfew across the state.

He said: “I want to reiterate that this government will continue to do what is right, regardless of who is involved. As everyone knows, no conventional war has grounded global life and economics like the coronavirus.

“Everyone is affected. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to defeat the coronavirus. I want to sincerely express my sincere gratitude to our health professionals at the forefront of this struggle. I also want to thank all security agencies, individuals and organizations that are collaborating with us to make Rivers State safe.

“I am confident that, with our collective resolution, our beloved state will contain the spread of this virus. My dear Rivers State people, based on suggestions from well-meaning people from Rivers State, the government is studying the setting up of food markets across the state. “