One of the most important achievements of Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike in the course of the first year of his second term has been the provision of purposeful leadership in the fight against the spread of coronavirus.
This has proved that Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike is the People’s Governor, both in good times and at the moment of crisis. He has shown that he is Governor that is consistently working for Rivers people.
The proactive approach of Governor Wike in tackling coronavirus centres on early detection, prevention and treatment.
While Rivers State was still without a single case of COVID-19, Governor Wike set up a committee to create awareness about the disease. The Rivers State Executive Council set up a sensitization committee to sensitise and inform the people on ways to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
“As a responsive government, even though we have not had a confirmed case of coronavirus, we did not rest on our oars as we set-up a Five-man Inter-ministerial committee to carry out an aggressive public enlightenment that will protect all those living and doing business in the State from the disease.
“This decision was taken because we understand that we are the headquarters of the Hydrocarbon Industry and also a major commercial hub in the country that attracts people from all walks of life.””The committee had since its inauguration carried out Stakeholder Engagement with Community Development Committees, Religious Groups, Principals and Head teachers of schools, Traders Association, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Military, Paramilitary, Police, International Oil Companies and The Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON)
Governor Wike took other precautionary measures to protect Rivers people from coronavirus.
He said:”The Rivers State Government having reviewed current developments across the country is desirous to further strengthen prevention measures across the State to keep our citizens safe.
“To this end, with effect from tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24, 2020 , Surveillance Posts are to be set up at the following Borders of the State:(1) Emohua for motorists coming from Bayelsa and States (2) Omerelu for motorists coming from Owerri(3) Okehi for motorists coming from Imo State through Etche(4) Akwuzie in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area for motorists coming from Imo State(5)Oyigbo Toll Gate for motorists coming from Aba and(6)Opoku in Khana Local Government Area for motorists coming from Akwa Ibom State.
“Marine entry points: Port Harcourt and Onne Ports , Nembe, Bille,Bonny and NLNG Jetties are also going to be under surveillance.
“Each of the Surveillance Posts shall be manned by trained health and security personnel who will ensure that motorists and seafarers are tested before they are allowed to enter the State.”
As a lawyer and life bencher, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was the first to lead the way on the right Legislation for the containment of the virus.
On March 19, 2020, Governor Wike signed the quarantine executive order and the regulations to restrict movement and close the borders.
The Executive Order RVSG-01 2020 Pursuant to Sections 2, 3, 4 and 8 of Quarantine Act, CAP 02 , Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Regulations 11 of the Quarantine (Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other infectious diseases regulations .
The order’s citation is Quarantine (Corona virus (COVID- 19) and other Infectious Diseases) Regulations, 2020.This order was replicated by the Federal Government and several other states of the Federation. This order defined the fight against the spread of coronavirus.
Through proactive actions, Governor Wike protected majority of Rivers people during this pandemic.
He said; “the State Security Council met yesterday and reviewed measures already put in place and decided that there was urgent need to adopt stringent measures to protect those living and doing business in the state from the virus.
“The council has therefore taken the following painful decisions. With effect from 6 pm on Thursday, March 26, 2020, the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa will not be open to air traffic.
“While we may not have the right to stop flights from entering Port Harcourt, we cannot allow anybody coming from the airport to enter our State.“We are confident that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other federal agencies will cooperate with us.“All Land and Sea Borders will be closed. Vehicular movements in an out of the state have been banned.
Governor Wike was on the frontline to protect the people of Rivers State. He led the State Task Force on Enforcement of the Ban on Public and Religious Gatherings . The Governor personally led the enforcement operations of the team.
Beyond enforcing the social distancing rules across the State, Governor Wike established the first food bank in the country. The State Food Bank is under the management of Rivers State COVID-19 Palliatives Committee.
The Rivers State Palliatives Committee, the most active relief materials team in the country, has reached out to communities, wards and Local Government Areas across the state. The Palliatives Committee terms of reference revolves supporting the people with foodstuffs, so they can sit-at-home and check the spread of coronavirus.
As a result of Governor Wike’s leading role in the distribution of palliatives, all the 23 Local Government Areas, state and federal lawmakers have opened up palliatives distribution networks. With different food distribution platforms, many Rivers people have been reached one way or another.
Closely linked to the Rivers State COVID-19 Palliatives Committee is another committee established by Governor Wike to keep the Rivers economy afloat and also empower farmers and fishermen.
Governor Wike set aside N2BILLION for the purchase of products from farmers and fishermen. These foodstuffs will then be distributed to the less privileged.
Governor Wike said that the committee has been empowered to purchase all agricultural products produced in the state for distribution to the less privileged.
“We are going a step further to ensure that no one complains of hunger in our State during this trying period. The State Government has therefore set aside the sum of N2billion to buy off all agricultural products produced in the State from farmers and fishermen.
“Our goal is to ensure that no agricultural product like yam, garri, plantain, palm oil and fish leaves our State during this period.
“While the farmers and fishermen will make their profits, the less privileged will have enough food supply for their families.”: “To ensure that the appropriate logistics for effective implementation of this policy is carried out to the letter, government will set up a 33-man Committee.”
For the identification and treatment of coronavirus cases, Governor Wike set up rapid response teams at the Rivers State Ministry of Health. These teams coordinated by highly trained health professionals are involved in contact tracing and treatment. They run the toll-free lines that provide quality medical care to Rivers people.
The State Government on its own has two holding centres at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, with an Isolation/Treatment Centre at Eleme LGA. This is where the index case and the second case were managed.
Working with the private sector, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike facilitated the setting up of a major Isolation/Treatment Centre at the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Through practical commitment and diligence, Governor Wike has proved that Rivers lives matter no matter who exercises whatever powers. His operating principle has always been Rivers first. In handling the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Wike placed the defence of Rivers lives above all other considerations.
The arrest of two Carveton Helicopters Pilots and their passengers was done strictly to protect the Rivers population. Governor Wike led the team to the outskirts of the Air Force Base to perfect their arrest. Carveton Helicopters have since apologised to the Rivers State Government for that infraction.
Similarly, security operatives arrested 22 Staff of Exxon Mobil for violating the State Executive Order restricting movement to and from Rivers State. As Governor Wike explained during a press conference, this action was taken in line with the state’s commitment to the fight against the spread of COVID-19. Though the 22 Exxon Mobil staff have been released, the point has been made that the law is no respecter of persons.
Despite being the nation’s oil and gas hub and a major entry point for expatriates, Rivers State has maintained a low prevalence rate of coronavirus because of the purposeful and proactive leadership of Governor Wike. Since the outbreak, he updates Rivers people through Broadcasts and medis briefings, taking tough decisions and ensuring their implementation.
On April 18, Governor Wike moved to enforce social distancing and the protection of the people, by declaring a total lockdown of parts of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area .The total and complete lockdown took effect from 6am of 19th April, 2020.
He said: “While we commend our people for generally adhering to our restrictions on social distancing, we deplore the lack of compliance with the order on shutting business activities by some residents in parts of the Port Harcourt.”These people are endangering the lives of everybody in the State. Consequently, we are constrained to place the following areas of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area under a total and complete lockdown until further notice:• Creek road, including Prison junction, Nembe waterside, Cultural Centre, Yam Zone and Ahoada Street.• Diobu area, including education bus stop, Kalabari by Odi Street, Afikpo Street, Gambia Street, the entire Ikoku Spare part zone, Rivers State University roundabout, and Abali Park under the flyover (both descending and ascending.”
The reality of the successes recorded by the proactive measures initiated and executed by Governor Wike have been acknowledged and applauded by Rivers people and other objective minds.
The Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) ,Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu captures the outstanding leadership role of Governor Wike in the fight against coronavirus. He spoke on Sunday during a meeting with officials of Rivers State Government.
“This is a working visit. I want to thank you for your firm, strong, committed and personally led response to COVID-19 in Rivers State. Rivers is one of the most important gate-ways into the country. One of the most important economies in the country . So, Rivers is important , not only to you but to the entire country. We are happy with the way you managed you first two cases
“We thank you very much for your leadership and we need your leadership to continue in order for us to continue doing our work nationally.
“I want to really congratulate you on how the two cases in Rivers State have been managed. I understand the second case was discharged yesterday . Excellent work is being done in Rivers and really an example for the rest of the country.”
Governor Wike’s protection of Rivers people is unwavering. This commitment is appreciated by Rivers people. On April 20, Governor Wike signed to legal instruments to strengthen the state’s capacity to fight the spread of coronavirus.
The legal instruments: Executive Order RVSG-02 No. 3 -2020 and Quarantine (Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other infectious diseases) Regulations (No. 2-2020) will empower the Rivers State Government to set up a Border Patrol Task Force, empower the Chief Judge to set up mobile courts to try offenders of the coronavirus regulations and stipulate non custodial sentences for offenders.
Governor Wike explained that the two legislations were initiated to protect Rivers people in the face of likely sabotage from Federal Agencies.
“This is the third Executive Order that I will be signing since the coronavirus pandemic started. This third Executive Order is very important.
“We suspect there will be sabotage on the part of the security agencies. That is why we are appointing a Task Force to man our borders. We owe our people a duty to protect them. There is likely to be sabotage. Our Task Force will be at the borders to protect our people. “
Governor Wike announced that the laws on restriction of movement must be implemented for the safety of everyone. “On Sunday, we arrested some staff of BUA who violated the law. They have been arraigned in court and remanded,” he said.
Governor Wike reiterated that coronavirus is no respecter of persons, pointing out that it has killed both influential and less privileged, hence the need to be more vigilant.
