•says an oil worker from the rig is being treated at the State’s Treatment Centre
Determined to protect the people of Rivers State from coronavirus, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Thursday inaugurated the State Task Force on Border Closure.
Governor Wike also announced that one of the new cases at the state’s treatment centre, came from the oil rig of one of the oil companies.
The State Government resolved to establish the Task Force on Border Closure following cases of sabotage at the state boundaries, where security personnel allow unauthorized people access to the state, without the mandatory health checks.
Inaugurating the Task Force, Governor Wike said: “This Task Force is very important. When they don’t want you to live, you must devise means to survive.”
Governor Wike said that most of the new cases in the state are people who slipped through the border and were allowed in by the security agencies.
He said: ” You have to support the security agencies and don’t allow anyone to get into the State without approval.
“Anyone coming into the state must be screened by the health officials. Don’t join the security agencies to extort money from people. If that happens, the essence of this Task Force is defeated. ”
He charged the Task Force to work as if they are struggling to save their own lives. He said this is necessary because the state is being sabotaged from all sides.
“We are being sabotaged at sea, land and at the Domestic Wing of the airport. Sometimes, they secretly receive flights and before we know they people sneak into the town. The Task Force in Ikwerre must check anyone coming from the airport.
“When we shout, they say we are fighting the Federal Government. All we are saying is help us to fight the virus. This is a matter of life and death. You must protect your people,” he said.
He reiterated that this is a non-conventional war, which has nothing to do with politics.
He charged the Task Force to always carry their identity cards. He said there will be no excuses from the operatives. He charged them to run 24 hours.
He said: “We will not relax because if coronavirus escalates in this state, we will not get any form of support. ”
On the recent cases, Governor Wike pinned one to the oil workers at the rig.
“Most of these oil companies also sabotage us. One of the cases at the State Treatment Centre is an oil worker who came from the rig.
“He tested positive and now our health workers are tracing all his contacts to check the spread. ”
Responding on behalf of the Task Force on Border Closure, Donald Frank assured Governor Wike that the operatives will work hard to carry out his directive.
Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.
30th April, 2020.
