Wike suspends LG chair over Covid-19 directive, threatens to declare statewide curfew

The governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, on Monday suspended the chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area and his deputy over their failure to carry out his directives on Covid-19.

The governor also imposed a curfew in some parts of the state and vowed to declare statewide curfew should there be further disregard on the directives of the state government on measures to curb spread of coronavirus in Rivers.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, said Wike made this known during a fresh broadcast in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

The governor said that the State Security Council reached the decision after it monitored compliance with the government’s earlier directives against Covid-19.

“With effect from Tuesday March 31, 2020, there will be a dusk to dawn curfew from Obiri-Ikwerre Junction( Ozuoba, Rumualogu) to Choba and from Education Bus Stop to Agip Junction, Ikwerre Road,” Wike said.

Issuing fresh directives Wike said:

“All beer parlours and public drinking joints are hereby closed because they have suddenly become an extension of night clubs that were earlier shut down.

“Any beer parlour or public drinking joint found to be open shall be acquired by the State Government.

“All landlords are advised to warn their tenants who use their property as beer parlours or public drinking joints to adhere to this directive.

“Traditional rulers, youth Leaders and Community Development Committees are to ensure that beer parlours and public drinking joints in their areas remain closed.

“Any Traditional Ruler who allows markets to be opened in his domain will be deposed.”

He said that the government was investigating the illegal operation of markets at night at Woji and Elelenwo communities.

“Further violation by residents of these two communities will attract declaration of curfew.

‘Further violation of the directive for markets to remain closed would attract a state-wide curfew.

“Let me reiterate that this government will continue to do what is right no matter who is involved.

“As you are all aware, no conventional war has grounded global life and economy like coronavirus has done.

“Everybody is affected. Therefore, all hands must be on deck to defeat coronavirus.”

He however, granted waivers to different categories of persons following the closure of borders and other directives.

Those he said the restrictive orders would not affect include medical and pharmaceutical personnel, food and beverages, essential oil and gas staff, petroleum products and media workers.

“All these categories of staff must identify themselves with valid identity cards,” the governor said.