Traditional Ruler wants trailer park dislodged over fears of harbouring Almajiris

Tina Amanda

Eze Igbu Upata 111, His Royal Majesty King Felix Otuwarikpo, has called on the Rivers State Government to pay urgent attention to a trailer park settlement located along Ahoada East/ West Road axis of the state.

King Felix Otuwarikpo who stated this to newsmen expressed worries that if the trailer park is not urgently dislodged, efforts made by the state government to combat the spread of Coronavirus may not be achieved.

The Monarch also raised concern that the park settlement may likely harbour fleeing Almajiris, who may have entered the state through northerners doing business at the settlement.

Eze Otuwarikpo stressed further that 88 percent of Almajiris ejected from Kano to Kaduna state tested positive to Corona virus, adding that if nothing is done to check the trend of migration in the area it would become volatile for the spread of Corona virus.

The Monarch urged Rivers people to support Governor Nyesom Wike in his effort to contain the spread of COVID 19, while commending the state government for policies put in place to fight the pandemic.

He noted that the state government meant well for Rivers people and urged the government not to be deterred by wanting criticizes as people often wanted to remain in their comfort zones.

King Otuwarikpo remarked that his kingdom has fully complied with the state directives and pointed out that he has set up a committee aimed at complementing the effort of the state government.

The Monarch however stressed that the fight against the pandemic should be taken seriously by all in view of the index cases being recorded daily in the country as well as the devastation it has wreaked in the developed countries.

He explained that Nigeria lacked the technical know how to contain the pandemic, hence all necessary steps should be taken to prevent it’s spread.