River State Government on Saturday said that its treatment centres for Coronavirus cases are fully equipped and have the required staff to fight the Coronavirus disease in the state.
Paulinus Nsirim, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, made this known in a live television programme at the Rivers State Television (RSTV).
Nsirim said this confirms the proactive leadership style of the State Governor, His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
The Commissioner, who was responding to the issue of whether the State has isolation centre, stated that the treatment centres are equipped for any eventuality.
“I said earlier at the beginning of this programme that our Government is proactive. Before we recorded the index case, the treatment centre was fully equipped for any eventuality. We’re not praying that we should have more cases, but if that happens, there are professionals that are fully trained to handle such cases.
“The equipment and facilities that would take care of such things are on the ground in the State. So there will be no need to worry”, he said.
On his assessment of the situation since the State Governor’s imposition of curfew in some parts of the State, the Commissioner said the compliance by the populace is creditable, and that the Governor is proactively personally doing everything possible to ensure that Rivers people are free of the virus.
He stated that “if there’s one Governor that was proactive in this country, it’s His Excellency: we didn’t have an index case before he set up an Enlightenment Committee before the Emergency Operations Centre was set up before the Treatment Centre was equipped and made fully functional.
“The passion with which he inspects projects is the passion with which he is monitoring those directives. That’s what you see in a selfless leader, a man who swore an oath to protect lives and properties.
“He is not making excuses, he is driving the process personally and that’s why you find now in the State that after the first index case, we’ve not had any other, unlike other states where it’s shooting up on daily basis”, the Commissioner said.
Nsirim used the opportunity to explain the condition of the only index case in the State. According to him, “she is doing very well”, noting that given the fact that she was declared asymptomatic, it means that “it’s not a very serious case”.
Talking on the issue of provision of food markets to assuage the suffering of the people, which the Governor promised in his broadcast, the Commissioner said while no definite date can be given, for now, the Government will, as promised, look into it, saying that “as soon as the modalities are set, it will be made public”
He also berated those allegedly involved in collecting money at the State’s border and letting people in, noting that feedback from the issue has been taken, and the various security agencies are working on the issue.
“It’s important that the public know that the Government will not take it kindly. All those who will be found to have compromised will really face the music because one life lost will be so painful to His Excellency”, he stated.
On when the restrictions in the State will be minimised, Nsirim reminded of the Governor’s broadcast in which he categorically stated that every decision taken in respect of preventing Coronavirus infection is subject to review.
“I’m sure that whatever is happening now is being reviewed, and, as a responsive government, the bottom line is the common good. Everybody leaving and doing business in Rivers State should understand that the sacrifice and pain of this season are for the common good, and I think that His Excellency will be working towards that direction for us”, he stated, adding that the Governor appreciates the sacrifice being made by the citizenry.
