The Rivers State Government, on Saturday, accused the Federal Government and its agencies of politicization of the fight against the spread of coronavirus.
The state government frowned at the actions of the FG over the arrest of two pilots and 10 passengers of Caverton Helicopters.
Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paulinus Nsirim, accused the Federal Government of promoting a ‘misleading narrative’ on the arrest of the pilots and the passengers through sponsored editorials in some newspapers and the social media.
He said the media campaign against the Rivers State Government has been premised on falsehood, aimed at endangering the lives of over six million Rivers people.
“Contrary to the view being peddled by the Minister of Aviation, Alhaji Hadi Sirika, the two pilots of Caverton Helicopters and their 10 passengers were not arrested because they operated a permit granted them by the Ministry of Aviation.
“They were arrested because they constantly contravened the Executive Order issued by the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, which requires that everyone coming into the state for essential duties subject themselves to mandatory health checks to ascertain their coronavirus status.
“Before their arrests, the Rivers State Government issued several warnings to Caverton and other operators to ensure that their pilots and passengers are tested by Rivers State Health Authorities. Caverton Helicopters disregarded the warnings.
“At the last count, Caverton Helicopters ferried over 220 passengers into the State without allowing health professionals of the Rivers State Government ascertain their coronavirus status. They also refused to avail the State Government their contacts, so they can be traced and tested.
“The Federal Government as we speak, has quarantined Chinese Doctors who are in the country on the invitation of the operators of Exclusive List. These Chinese Doctors will be isolated for 14days as a precaution before they mix with Nigerians. If the Federal Government has done that in Abuja for Chinese officials that they invited, why do they insist that persons coming into Rivers State must enter the state without health check?
“What are they hiding? From all indications, it is clear that there is a plot to compromise the health of Rivers people. Otherwise, what is the motive for the grandstanding and the sponsorship of false editorials to mislead Nigerians by agents of the Federal Government?
“The Rivers State Government urges the Federal Government to direct all their business associates to subject themselves to health checks to ascertain their coronavirus status. On this premise, the Rivers State Government is not prepared to compromise. The safety of Rivers people is beyond any other consideration.
“Governor Wike through the various prevention strategies he had initiated, has demonstrated to the entire world that he is prepared for leadership. The truth is that it is in times of crisis like the whole world is facing now, that you know genuine leaders. The Rivers State Government respects the rule of law and has acted within the ambit of the law,” Nsirim said.
