Business
Showdown As 22 ExxonMobil Staff Are Held In Rivers
22 staff of Exxon Mobil who entered Rivers State from Akwa Ibom in violation of the State Executive Order issued by Governor Nyesom Wike have been arrested the governor said on Friday.
Governor Wike also announced that Carveton Helicopters has apologised to the State Government over the conduct that led to the arrest of their pilots and passengers who violated the restriction orders of the state.
Addressing a Press Conference in Port Harcourt on Friday, Governor Wike stated that the Exxon Mobil matter will be a test case in legal jurisprudence in the country.
He said: “Security agencies arrested 22 staff of Exxon Mobil who came into the state from neighbouring Akwa Ibom State in violation of the extant Executive Order restricting movement into the state. We do not know the coronavirus status of these individuals.
“Even though security agencies advised that they be allowed to go back to Akwa Ibom State, I insisted that the law must take its course. This is because nobody is above the law.
“As a responsive government, we have quarantined them in line with the relevant health protocols and they will be charged to court.”
The Rivers State Governor regretted that Federal Authorities are working dangerously to compromise the health protection system of Rivers State and thereby make vulnerable to coronavirus.
He said: “Some people want the escalation of the virus in Rivers State. People were paid to canvass a negative narrative on Carveton Pilots.
“We are doing what we can within available resources to fight coronavirus. You can fly, but as you fly and land, don’t enter our territory. “
“We will fight this matter legally. Exxon Mobil does not operate in Rivers State. That they have a point at the Onne seaport does not mean that they operate in Rivers State.
“People in Abuja are not happy. They want Rivers State to be infected. They want to kill Rivers people and I will not allow it. I was elected to protect Rivers people. Rivers State is not a pariah State.
“Nigerians shake when they hear oil companies they shake because they have compromised. Imagine an appointed Minister issuing an order to an elected Governor. They wanted to rig us out and lost. Recall that the Former DG of DSS ordered his men to leave the INEC Collation Centre for the invasion of the Centre. They lost.
“The right thing must be done. We are talking about something that is killing people. They want coronavirus to escalate in Rivers State. The law must be tested. Make sacrifice and let us contain the virus.”
People in Abuja are not happy. They want Rivers State to be infected. They want to kill Rivers people and I will not allow it. I was elected to protect Rivers people.
“Nobody will use Rivers State as a toy. This Federal Government does not like us, but a government will come that likes Rivers State.
Governor Wike said that Rivers State cannot be manipulated from any Quarters.
Governor Wike stated that the State Government followed due process in its actions against Carveton Helicopters. He noted that the State Government was focused on implementing extant laws aimed at protecting Rivers people.
He said: “People selling Akara are being charged to Court in Lagos. But they want us to allow oil companies to flout the law. I am a boy to Rivers people, not to anybody outside Rivers State.
“You have been fighting Rivers State since 2015. They challenged me in 2015, I defeated them. In 2019, I defeated them. There is no third term.”
The Governor praised the management of the NLNG for cooperating with the State Authorities to fight the spread of coronavirus.
“I must commend the management of Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) for obeying the established health protocol to check the spread of coronavirus. They have consistently liaised with the State Government in the movement of their staff on essential duties. This is what is expected of a responsible corporate organization,” he said
The Governor expressed gratitude to individuals and corporate organizations that have strengthened the state’s capacity to fight coronavirus.
He said: “Our pragmatic leadership style has therefore earned our state individual and corporate support that have strengthened our prevention strategies.”
Governor Wike said his administration chose to be proactive because it places premium on the lives of Rivers people.
He pointed out that Rivers State was the first State to close her borders to check the spread of coronavirus. He noted that this step was greeted by criticisms at the time, but several states have emulated this pragmatic approach.
“We were the first state in the Federation to close our borders. This attracted criticisms, but we have been vindicated as other states emulated this positive strategy.
The Rivers State Governor warned those plotting to disrupt the distribution of palliatives will be sanctioned. He pointed out that some persons only criticise for the sake of political mileage and not to add value.
He informed that the Rivers State Security Council will lockdown some parts of Port Harcourt where some people continue to disregard Government directive of social distancing.
The Governor said that nobody can threaten Rivers State with strike. He said the state is ready to tackle anyone trying to compromise the health of the State.
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