Wike announces lifting of lockdown on 2 LGs

Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers state has announced the temporary lifting of the total lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas from May 12-13.

Gov. Wike made the announcement in a statewide broadcast on Sunday night. He said that the total lockdown was lifted for the two days to enable the affected residents to restock foodstuffs and medicines.

Governor Wike said that the lockdown would be reinstated on May 14.

He said: “Consequently, we have given due consideration to the propositions on the way forward by well-meaning citizens of the state and after a cautious review of the situation, decided to implement a partial relaxation of the lockdown measures, to enable residents to have some fresh air and replenish their foodstuffs, and medicines.

“To this end, I hereby announce the temporary lifting of the total lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Governments Areas for two days only, with effect from May 12.

“All shops, supermarkets and malls can open to the public for May 12-13. Similarly, all hospitals and banks can also open and provide full services to the public.

“While oil and gas companies are required to submit the list of their staff on essential duties to government, note that there is no ban on the lifting of petroleum products from depots and other receptacles.

“The total lockdown on Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt Local Government Areas will be reinstated on May 14 and remain until further notice.” 

Governor Wike said all other established restrictions under the executive order on social distancing were still in force.

He said that the compulsory wearing of face masks or scarfs in vehicles and public places are still in place.

Other measures still in place includenthe closure of all land, sea and air borders, and entry routes into the state, closure of all open markets, including slaughter houses, hotels, guest houses, cinemas, bars and restaurants, ban on gathering, including public burials, weddings, and religious gathering of more than 50 persons.

He said every measure the state government had imposed was dictated by an assessment of the state’s situation, the trend of transmission and the conviction that it was the right thing to do in the circumstance.

“As a government, we are doing our utmost best, in the face of daunting challenges, to prevent COVID-19 from taking hold in Rivers state; to stop any possible community transmission of this disease before it is too late.

“And we shall continue on this trajectory because the alternative would spell a greater disaster for our state and our people.

“Moreso, these are not arbitrary measures, but fully prescribed and backed by the ordinary laws of our state, especially, Executive Orders 1 to 6, which apply equally to all persons throughout the state. 

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“As a government, we are obliged to enforce our laws and in the present circumstance, we have done so without fear or favour.

“We equally made it loud and clear that in the fight against COVID-19, there would be no sacred cows; no double standards and no sentiments of any kind, whether political, ethnic, religious, status, emotional or otherwise.

“In the last few days, we have pursued with vigour and secured several convictions against those who intentionally violated our COVID-19 containment laws in the same way others states are doing.

“The forfeited trucks to be auctioned by the deputy sherriff were not confiscated arbitrarily by the state government, but by the orders of our courts,” the governor clarified.

Governor Wike stated that the demolition of the two hotels in Eleme was done in line with extant laws.