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His Excellency Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike COVID-19 Press Briefing On Friday May 1, 2020

Published

5 years ago

May 1, 2020

The Tide

Protocols,

Thank you and good morning.

Today I’d like to provide our people with an update on the ongoing efforts to contain the transmission of COVID-19 in Rivers State.2. We are in a battle with a dreaded and invisible disease, and as a State Government, we are doing everything within our powers, sparing no efforts to contain this enemy and save the lives of our people.

3. It is therefore important for me to start by expressing our gratitude for everyone that we have engaged in this battle, and most especially, our healthcare workers, who are on the frontlines, working night and day, every day of the week to prevent the mass transmission of this virus in our State. You are all our heroes for your personal and collective sacrifice when it mattered most in the lives of our people.

4. Let me also appreciate the various support groups, including the State Inter-ministerial Taskforce on COVID-19, the State Task-force on the distribution of Palliatives, its counterpart on Food Procurement, as well as our public-spirited donors and the media practitioners for your invaluable efforts and contributions to this decisive fight against COVID-19.

5. Since the manifest importation of COVID-19 virus into our country by the index case, we have taken several measures, including legal, policy and material, to enable us combat, contain and limit the transmission of COVID-19 in Rivers State.

6. Our strategy, from the very beginning, was to contain, prevent or minimize the spread of the disease and save the lives of our people. And so far, we are achieving these objectives significantly.

7. On the 19th of March, 2020, we issued the Declaration, which classified COVID-19 as a dangerous infectious disease, as well as the Quarantine (Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Other Infectious Disease Regulations 2020, and Executive Order No. RVSG-01, 2020 to provide the legal framework for any and all actions required of the State Government under the Quarantine Act to combat the spread of the disease in the State.

8. On the 22nd of March 2020, the State Executive Council mandated the COVID-19 Committee to create mass awareness about the disease and issue necessary advisories to avoid infections and transmission among our people. This Committee immediately swung into action and has since done a lot to sensitization make everyone to be aware of this disease and the measures to prevent infection and spread.

9. With the legal framework established, we immediately proceeded to initiate proactive measures targeted at preventing and or protecting the State and residents from contacting or spreading of COVID-19.

10. On Tuesday 23rd of March 2020, we placed a ban all forms of open religious worship, crusades, vigils, public burials and weddings and closed all public parks, night clubs, cinemas and related outfits.

11. On Friday 26th March 2020, we stepped up our preventive measures by closing all schools and institutions of learning, the State’s land and sea borders as well as all flights out of or into Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa and the Airforce Base, Port Harcourt. We also set up surveillance posts at all land and sea entry routes into the State.

12. On 20th April 2020, we executed two additional legal instruments, namely: (i) the Quarantine (Coronavirus) {COVID-19} and Other Infectious Diseases) Regulations (No.2) 2020 and (ii) the Executive order RVSG-03 2020 to strengthen the legal framework for the battle against the spread of COVID-19 in the State with the provision of non-custodial penalties for the violation of extant regulations and the Coronavirus Prevention Border Task Force to enforce the ban on the exit and entry of persons from our borders.

13. Following the failure to comply with our preventive directives and advisories on large gathering and social distancing, we were constrained to place some parts of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas, including Obiri-Ikwerre junction, (Ozuoba, Rumualogu) to Choba, and from Education Bus stop to Agip Junction, Ikwerre road, under total lockdown.

14. Presently, Elekahia, including the entire stretch of Rumukalagbor – Elekahia link road, Rumuomasi, including stadium road, and Rumuobiokani are under 24 hours lockdown until further notice.

15. In terms of material and other resources, the State Government have:

• trained over 200 surveillance and ad-hoc personnel;

• established holding and treatment Centres at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospitals as well as the General Hospital Nchia, Eleme;

• trained health workers both in the private and public sectors on infection control measures and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE);

• provided PPE’s for all our health workers directly involved in the fight against COVID-19 and sanitizers and infrared thermometers for us at all public offices;

• established the Rivers State Task Force on Border Closure;

• received 250-bed isolation and treatment tent located at the General Yakubu Gowon Stadium donated by the private-sector led initiative on COVID-19;

• received one GeneXpert RT-PCR testing machine from TOTAL E & P, which is ready to be used and will be deployed any moment we get the necessary reagents;

• procured some ventilators as well as received some others from some private sector donors;

• successfully prosecuted several violators of our orders and secured 188 convictions so far; and

• arrested 45 persons illegally operating night markets in Rumuokoro, Elimgbu and Rumuokurushi communities.

The state of COVID-19 transmission in Rivers State

15. As at today 1st May 2020, Rivers State has recorded 13 confirmed cases of COVID-19 infections, 4 females and 9 males. Out of this number, 2 have recovered and discharged, 9 are active and receiving medical attention in our treatment centre, while unfortunately, 2 lost their lives because of COVID-19.

16. Recall that we had the first and second cases of coronavirus infections in the State in late March 2020. But it is significant to note that the third case was recorded after a lull of about one-month interval.

17. Furthermore, apart from the sixth case who has no travel history, the rest were returnees to the State from Italy, United Kingdom, and Lagos or persons who had close contacts with already affected persons.

18. Indeed, five of the most recent cases are all children and a relative of the second death case.

19. The logical conclusion therefore, is that the pattern of transmission of COVID-19 in the State is evidentially predicated on importation from outside, just as the rate of infection and progression is also relatively low and arithmetical, when considered from the date of the index case.

20. Generally, we believe that unless there is a sudden and vertical slide into community transmission, we expect our COVID-19 infection and prevalent rate to continue along this low trajectory.

21. This gives us the assurance that our hard work is paying off and Rivers State is certainly not in any dangerous position when compared to the situation in most other States, and we will never be by God’s special grace.

22. This is not to say that we are at the peak of this crisis and that everything about the containment and transmission of COVID-19 is under control. No; we are not, because of the challenges occasioned primarily by the negative elements that continue to deliberately undermine and sabotage our efforts to protect our people from this disease.

23. For instance, the 7th infected case was an offshore oil and gas worker who went and passed a night in a Lagos hotel before returning to Port Harcourt on the 9th of April 2020 with the aid of the security personnel manning our borders. When his symptoms started, he was admitted to a private hospital, (St. Martin’s Hospital) on the 20th and discharged on the 21st of April 2020 before testing positive to the virus after almost over two weeks of close contacts with other people.

24. Had the security agencies not compromised their responsibility at the borders, this man would have been prevented from coming into Port Harcourt and threaten the lives of other people with this virus.

25. Again, on the 29th of April 2020, our surveillance team picked up two men from Niger Republic, who came into the State from Lagos with the help of security personnel despite the closure of the entry routes into the State.

26. And so, so long as security personnel continue to allow people with this virus into the State through the closed borders without first ensuring that they are quarantined and their infection status determined, so long shall our State and our people will be exposed to the threat of contracting COVID-19.

27. In addition, we are virtually fighting this battle without any tangible material support from the Federal Government. We are wondering as most of you may also be, that up till now the NCDC has not established any testing center in the State in spite of our position, huge socio-economic and demographic mix and high transmission threat hanging over us as a result. Was this deliberate? If not so, why and what was the justification for this dangerous neglect, which is obviously limiting our capacity to expand testing for this virus in the State.

28. But, for us as a Government, every single new infection of COVID-19 in our State is one too many. We shall therefore continue to take every necessary measure to control and possibly end the transmission of this disease in Rivers State in spite of the enormous challenges and lack of concrete support from the Federal Government.

29. It is for the very reason that we have taken our fate in our own hands with the establishment of the Border security task force, which has been mandated to provide and ensure a water-tight situation in all our entry and exit points and prevent any unauthorized entry and or exit of persons and vehicles into the State during the period of the closure.

30. These are all Rivers sons and we expect them to protect the interest of the State at all cost, and not compromise and risk the health and survival of our people in exchange for some filthy naira notes.

31. We also expect and request the security agencies to cooperate with the taskforce and fully enforce not only our order on the closure of our borders, but also Mr. President’s directive on the ban on inter-state travels from next Monday, 4th May 2020.

Procurement/distribution of food items to vulnerable households

32. On the 26 of April 2020, I announced the provision of 2 billion naira by the State Government for the procurement of food items from local farmers for distribution to vulnerable households across the State.

33. We also established a credible Committee, headed by Ambassador Desmond Akawor to undertake the thankless job of distributing the procured food stuffs and ensure they get to the targeted groups.

34. Reports reaching us from independent monitors indicate that, so far, both Committees are creditably executing their respective mandate in spite of the difficult logistical challenge that is involved.

35. As a matter of fact, the Procurement Committee has so far purchased and delivered to our ware houses local food items, including garri, yam, beans, fish, palm oil, plantain, tomatoes and onions worth over 590 million naira.

36. Similarly, the Food Distribution Committee has successfully distributed food packages to vulnerable households in 16 Local Government Areas, namely: Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt, Ikwerre, Eleme, Omuma, Bonny, Opobo/Nkoro, Tai, Okrika, Etche, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Oyigbo, Gokana, Khana, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.

37. The Committee will ensure that vulnerable households in the remaining seven Local Government Areas also receive their food packages before the end of next week.

38. The Committee has also received donation of food items from a number of individuals and corporate bodies, which it is distributing to the needy among us.

39. Details of the list of food donors and what was donated shall be published in the national dailies in due course as a measure of public appreciation for their kind gestures. This applies also to those who have made cash donations to the State Government’s effort at combatting the coronavirus.

40 Let me assure our people that the delivery of palliatives and other relief measures to vulnerable households is a continuous exercise and the State Government will continue to provide funding for this purpose.

Conclusion

41. While we are not under any illusion about the presence of the risk of this virus in our midst, we are making tremendous progress that clearly underscores our belief that our aggressive strategy and targeted measures have been effective in curbing the spread seeing COVID-19 in our State.

42. Accordingly, the directives and restrictions we have put in place to maintain social distancing must continue and all residents are advised to strictly follow and comply in the interest of the health and lives of everybody.

43. In addition, the wearing of face mask in all public places is now compulsory throughout the State.

44. We understand the pain on our people but this is inevitable under the present situation in order for us to make the gain of freeing our State and our people from the ravaging pandemic.

45. The State’s Security Council will meet in the next 48 hours to consider and approve necessary mitigating measures for commuters, including the deployment of Government buses to shuttle designated public routes free of charge during the period of the ban on commercial transport operations.

46. Finally, community leaders and residents in Rumuokoro, Elimgbu and Rumuokurushi are hereby warned for the last time to either comply with our directives on social distancing and desist all business activities, including night markets or risk a total lockdown in these areas and the permanent closure of the Rumuokoro (Oil mill) market

47. While we agree with Mr. President’s decision to gradually re-open the country for business, we shall be guided by the peculiarities of our State on when to relax the measures we have put in place and gradually restore business activities to the State.

48. Until then, I wish to restate that we love all residents of Rivers State. Please maintain social distancing, stay at home, wear face mask in public places and stay safe.

49. Thank you and may God bless us all.

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We’ve Only One House Of Assembly Led By Oko-Jumbo, Fubara Clarifies …Signs Into Law N1.188trn Rivers 2025 Budget

Published

12 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has insisted that there is only one House of Assembly existing in the State, and it is led by Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.

Governor Fubara made the clarification shortly after giving assent to the Rivers State Appropriation Law No.1 of 2025, at Government House in Port Harcourt.

The Governor said the records need to be put straight to address insinuations in some quarters about a possible splitter in the Legislature, and stated that there is no such division.

Governor Fubara stated: “I want to say this, maybe, for some persons somewhere who are still mixing up issues. We have only one Rivers State House of Assembly, and that Assembly is headed by Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo”.

He described those who abdicated their mandate in the House as a group of friends who had embarked on Sinbad journey, and half-way into the journey, they decided to return, saying, “It is too late. We are not going back. As far as I am concerned, we have moved on.”

Governor Fubara said that as it stands now, the focus of his administration is to do everything possible in defending the interest of Rivers State and the integrity of governance, and assured that with the 2025 budget now signed, every projection made in it will be addressed to deliver hope and good life to all residents in the State.

He said, “We will make sure that we kick-start, so that the record of performance that was accorded by this administration in the year 2024 will be higher in this year, 2025.

“Let me first thank the Rivers State House of Assembly for doing very diligent job, and also realizing the task that we have ahead of us, which is to continue to work for Rivers people. So, I want to thank you for working very hard and ensuring that we hit the ground running in this New Year.”

Governor Fubara also commended members of the State Executive Council, which he described as the management team, especially the Deputy Governor, for their support and cooperation, and particularly thanked the Commissioners for Finance, and Budget, as well as the Acting Chairman of Rivers State Internal Revenue Board, for the wonderful job they did last year.

He noted, “We expect you to do more because we have a bigger task ahead of us. We have made some promises to our people. Education, Health and Agriculture; we must make sure we make good impact just like we have done in the areas of road and other aspects of the economy. We made a promise to you (Rivers people) that we will continue to protect, defend and promote the interest of our dear State.”

In his speech, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo, asserted that Rivers people witnessed unprecedented growth in the State made possible by the administration of Governor Fubara in infrastructure development, healthcare delivery, education, social welfare, security and other sectors.

Rt Hon Oko-Jumbo pointed to how Governor Fubara has become the beacon of hope of the common man on the streets, because, according to him, they are happy with the positive impact his leadership style has afforded them.

The Speaker explained that Governor Fubara has paid Rivers civil servants and pensioners N100,000.00 Christmas Bonus, being the second time; and approved and paid N85,000.00 minimum wage (salary) to civil servants, which have stood him out as a leader that prioritises the well-being of the people.

He said, “Your Excellency, 2025 promises to be a year of strategic planning and partnership. We have no doubt that you will carry out the task of developing and delivering the dividends of democracy to every nook and cranny of Rivers State. So, Your Excellency, on behalf of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly, we want to say thank you for being the People’s Governor, and thank you for the strategic partnership with the Legislature. Your Excellency, 2025 promises to be a year of exponential growth in Rivers State.”

Presenting the 2025 Budget to Governor Fubara for assent, Leader of the House, Hon Sokari Goodboy Sokari, said the total projected estimate of N1,188,962,739,932.36 for the 2025 fiscal year indicated a huge leap from previous year’s figure, indicating progress and assuring multiplication of comfort that good leadership can provide.

Hon Sokari also noted the strategic allocations for Recurrent and Capital expenditures that provide for the welfare of workers and retirees, more development projects, as well as savings that will be made from accruing revenues.

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Tinubu calls for increased currency swap between China, Nigeria

Published

13 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday urged the Chinese government to increase the two billion dollar currency swap between Nigeria and China to enhance trade between the two countries.

He also called for an upward review of the 50 billion dollar aid package for Africa, which China’s President Xi Jinping announced last year.

China and Nigeria recently renewed their currency swap agreement, valued at 15 billion yuan (approximately 2 billion dollars), to enhance trade and investment.

Receiving Wang Yi, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, at the State House, the President said increasing the level of currency swaps would speed up the infrastructural development in Nigeria and deepen the strategic bilateral relations.

“We still demand more in the area of currency swap. The level you have approved as a government for Nigeria is inadequate considering our programme. If you can increase that, it will be well appreciated.

“Our bond should grow stronger and become unbreakable,” the President said.

Regarding the 50 billion dollars pledged by the Chinese government to support Africa, President Tinubu noted that the continent’s infrastructural needs would require more commitment, urging a review of the amount to reflect the continent’s reality.

“I am happy you are part of China’s highest decision-making body. We will want you to use your position to influence improved project funding.

“First, I say yes to the 50 billion dollar support, and thank you for contributing to African growth. The infrastructural needs of Africa are greater than that, and we want to move as rapidly as our other counterparts.

“All share your vision of rapid development. Africa values the relationship with China, and we seek deeper collaboration for infrastructural development,” he stated.

President Tinubu called on China to support Nigeria’s bid for a permanent United Nations Security Council seat.

“You are a member of the UN Security Council. We want you to use your influence to ensure Nigeria secures the seat,” the President said.

Tinubu said Africa, particularly Nigeria, was prepared to meet developmental goals and contribute counterpart project funding.

“We are ready to move and reach the various developmental goals. Due to our deliberation, we signed many MOUs and planned many action programmes.

“My visit during FOCAC was a good experience. We signed several comprehensive MOUs during the visit. We planned several programmes of action,” he said.

Yi thanked Tinubu for appointing a Director General and Global Liaison, Nigeria—China Strategic Partnership, to oversee the implementation of the MOUs for the rapid development of the Nigerian economy.

“I would like to thank Nigeria for abiding by the one-China principle, and we will continue to support Nigeria in achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda, countering terrorism and ensuring regional security,” he said.

Yi said Chinese investments in the country would focus on employment generation and infrastructural development.

He said the Chinese National Development Bank had started funding some development projects.

He also said the Chinese government would support including an African country in the UN Security Council.

“We stand with Africa, and we will not support a country that invades another country,” he stated.

The foreign minister said China would welcome Nigeria’s membership in the BRICS and participation in the global development mechanism.

He said China fully supported Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), for a second term in office.

The minister lauded President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and consistency in projecting Africa’s needs, which require China’s support.

“You brought Renewed Hope to the people of Nigeria. Your economy has sustained sound momentum, and Nigeria’s global influence has steadily increased.

“Nigeria has played an important role in upholding regional peace and has become an important force for African stability.

“We congratulate Nigeria on its achievements and believe that, under your leadership, Nigeria will realise greater achievements,” the Chinese foreign minister stated.

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FG urges unified efforts against emerging COVID-19 threats

Published

15 hours ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Federal Government has called for unified efforts by stakeholders to tackle the emerging COVID-19 variants in the country.

Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Development, made the call in Abuja on Thursday, at a strategic meeting on COVID-19 preparedness and response.

The meeting was organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), following the recent emergence of a new COVID-19 variant in China and subsequent international concerns about the spread of the deadly virus.

The Tide source reports that NEMA conveyed the strategic stakeholders meeting to discuss preparedness, response plans, and proactive measures within Nigeria’s national context against the virus.

The minister, represented by a Director in Public Health Department at the Ministry, Mrs Chidinma Agbai, highlighted the devastating global impact of the pandemic and Nigeria’s resilience in spite of initial dire predictions.

He warned against misinformation and urged collaboration among stakeholders, including health officials and the media, to strengthen border controls and revive pandemic response infrastructure.

“A couple of months, the global world became affected one way or the other. you saw the number of people that were lost. They were counted in millions, people that were lost through COVID-19.

“You also saw the countermeasures that were taken by various countries. And surprisingly, those of us in Africa and Nigeria in particular, were expected to count our dead in millions. But God being our helper, It did not consume so much.

“But one life is a serious loss to a nation. So many Nigerians lost their lives, not really because of COVID-19, but because of countermeasures,” he said.

According to him, during the last COVID-19 and Ebola, people were told to take salt. Some people were told to take potash. So many countermeasures were introduced, and a lot of people lost their lives.

“So, now again in this harmattan period, we have to be careful because COVID-19 started in the harmattan period too, in the past years, it has reared its head again in China.

“This time around, it’s a mutant type that has come up. And China, being what it is, is keeping quiet. They don’t want to raise alarm as to what they are experiencing.

“They’ve closed their doors to various appeals for them to speak up.

“So for us in Nigeria, we have to put deliberate efforts to ensure that those who are coming into Nigeria, or those who are leaving the country, are protected,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of agencies such as the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and others in ensuring that the country’s borders were under surveillance.

He urged that similar measure taken to curtail Ebola some years back should be applied at the airports, the land borders and the sea ports to secure the lives of Nigerians.

The minister also called for renewed efforts in vaccine development and public education to prevent panic and safeguard lives.

The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, in her remarks called for proactive planning, collaboration, and resource mobilisation to safeguard the country’s public health emergencies.

Umar, who was represented by the Director, Planning Research and Forecasting, Mr Onimode Bandele, said that the meeting was crucial amid global concerns.

The director-general stressed the importance of information sharing, transparency, and a unified approach in addressing the challenge.

“The recent COVID-19 situation emerging from China serves as a stark reminder that public health emergency recognises no borders.

“In today’s interconnected world, a health threat in one country has the potential to impact nations across continents.

“While Nigeria is not directly affected at the moment, proactive planning, preparedness, and collaboration are essential to safeguarding our citizens and mitigating any potential risk.

“In line with this mandate, NEMA aims to be number one to share insight and update on the current global COVID-19 situation and its potential implication for Nigeria,” she said.

Umar also reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to effective disaster management and urged unified efforts to maintain Nigeria’s resilience against global health threats.

On his part, Mr Hopewell Munyari, Operations Manager, International Federation of Red cross, urged Nigerians to learn from the COVID-19 response to improve future emergency efforts.

Munyari underscored the Nigerian Red Cross’s role as an auxiliary to government, actively working on responses like Lassa fever and mFox outbreaks.

He also called for leveraging global Red Cross networks and volunteers to enhance preparedness and ensure timely, reliable communication with communities.