Connect with us

News

COVID-19: Wike Sets Task Force To Keep Border

Government Suspects Foul Play By Federal Security Agencies

Published

on

By GWG Staff

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Monday announced plans to establish a Task Force to man the borders of the state to protect the people of the state from coronavirus.

Signing the Executive Order RVSG-02 No. 3 -2020 at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday, Governor Wike said the Task Force will be in place because of the likelihood of sabotage from Federal Security Agencies.

He said: “This is the third Executive Order that I will be signing since the coronavirus pandemic started. This third Executive Order is very important.

“We suspect there will be sabotage on the part of the security agencies.  That is why we are appointing a Task Force to man our borders. We owe our people a duty to protect them. There is likely to be sabotage.  Our Task Force will be at the borders to protect our people. “

Governor Wike said that contrary to the falsehood being peddled on the release of Exxon Mobil Staff, the Governor noted that it was strictly on the intervention of respected Nigerians and not due to the threat to embark on strike.

We suspect there will be sabotage on the part of the security agencies.  That is why we are appointing a Task Force to man our borders.

“No Federal Agency spoke to us. But there were respected Nigerians who intervened and they were released by 8.00 a.m. on Sunday.

“Exxon Mobil signed and agreed that they will take back their Staff to Eket. That was the condition we gave for their release,” he said.

Governor Wike announced that the laws on the restriction of movement must be implemented for the safety of everyone.

“On Sunday, we arrested some staff of BUA who violated the law. They have been arraigned in court and remanded,” he said.

He reiterated that coronavirus is no respecter of persons, pointing out that it has killed both influential and less privileged, hence the need to be more vigilant.

Attorney-General of Rivers State, Professor Zaccheus Adangor said the two legal instruments signed by the Rivers State Governor will help in the fight against coronavirus.

He said the  Quarantine (Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other infectious diseases) Regulations  (No. 2-2020) stipulates non-custodial sentences for offenders. He said that individuals will be fined 50,000 while corporate organizations will be N1million.

He said that the regulations direct the Chief Judge of Rivers State to assign a Judge or Magistrate to try offenders.

The Attorney-General of Rivers State said the  Executive Order RVSG-02 No. 3 -2020 empowers the State Government to set up a Task Force to implement all legislation related to the fight against coronavirus. 

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ikuinyi Ibani thanked the Rivers State Governor for his commitment to the defence of the State.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG