The Rivers State Government has imposed a 24-hour total lockdown including a dusk to dawn curfew on the entire Obio-Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas with effect from Thursday May 7, 2020.
All residents of the affected local government areas are to stay at home until further notice.
Addressing the people in a state wide broadcast on Monday, Governor Nyesom Wike said although the greatest threat to the spread of COVID-19 is posed by external carriers who come into the state with the virus, the fact is also given that residents are refusing to comply with established directives on COVID-19 and change their behaviour to the new reality.
In his last address to the people of state, Governor Wike had given hint that the Rivers State Security Council was going to review measures put in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 and where necessary impose additional measures.
And that’s exactly what happened as the Governor on Monday, announced new measures with a taskforce to be set to enforce compliance.
Governor Wike also announced measures to deal with what he said is the persistent disobedience of directives and advisories on COVID-19 by several communities in Port-Hacourt and Obio-Akpor Local Government Areas despite repeated warnings.
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The Rivers State Government said it would also review all entry waivers and permits earlier granted to companies.
Governor Wike rounded up the broadcast with a warning to the Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Henry Ugboma, to stop politicising the issue of Coronavirus in the state with his utterances.
He said his administration would not hesitate to deal with anyone who dares to undermine the hard work and sacrifice being made to save lives in Rivers State.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
