Tina Amanda
Rivers State government has called on those faulting the border closure against COVID -19 spread in the state to stop undermining efforts of government in curtailing Coronavirus spread.
Commissioner of Health, Professor Princewill Chike who stated this while receiving palliative materials from the management of Total E&P Nigeria Limited, said the public needs to support the state government in the fight rather than disobeying the lockdown rules.
The equipment ranges hospital beds, personal protective equipment for health workers and hand sanitizers.
“COVID-19 is real, many of our people do not believe it is real, many people are going to impacted States and passing through the borders, it is not right, they are trying to undermine the effort of the Governor of Rivers state that has closed the borders. Even those who are above trying to embarrass the state and abuse the effort of the state government, I want to use this medium to tell them that they are not doing Rivers State any good.
“What Rivers State needs at this moment is support from all and sundry. This is not the time to look for faults, this is not the time to politicize this pandemic, this is not the time to think COVID 19 is not real, people should continue to observe social distancing, proper respiratory hygiene, and regular hand wash”
He, however, commended some Companies, stakeholders, and individuals for their goodwill and gestures in supporting government efforts by donating palliatives to the state.
“Friends of Rivers State have been coming to our aid to assist and not to pull down or destroy the state. They have been lending their hands to the effort of the Governor and his government. What they are giving to us, the Rivers State government, the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Unit are grateful.
On his part, Director Port Harcourt District General Manager Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Victor Bandale, while presenting the materials, said the relief materials are the only way to show solidarity with the government in combating the pandemic.
“Our intent is to show solidarity with the state government, we have gone to the military hospital, we are here at the Rivers State Ministry of Health to give some items that we feel are necessary and required to support the initiative in combating COVID 19 pandemic.
“We will continue to support the state government as stakeholders and also support communities where we are operating to ensure that we put things in place to help to demonstrate our little commitment”
