Politicians and Businessmen in Rivers and Bayelsa States have showered encomium on the Rivers and Bayelsa State Governors, Nyesom Wike and Senator Douye Diri over the proactive handling of the challenges and gains recorded at stemming the tide of COVID 19 disease while clamping down on some violators on movement restriction in the state.
Mr. Richard Akinaka, Managing Director and Chief Executive officer of Abito Global services, while assessing the Rivers State Government effort gave the commendation to Governor Nyesom Wike for his uncompromising commitment to protecting the people of the state from the Coronavirus pandemic.
Politicians under the aegis of the Nembe PDP Chiefs Forum described the review of Bayelsa COVID-19 lockdown policy as it relates to worship centers across the state and the distribution of food items to households as a welcome development.
Richard Akinaka, who is also a Niger Delta activist, noted that the action of the Governor to have dealt decisively against a conglomerate like Caverton Helicopters that violated the lockdown for which the pilots have been charged to court and remanded would serve as a deterrent to anyone who tries to endanger the lives of the people in the state.
Akinaka, a young entrepreneur charged politicians in the state not to play politics with a virus as dangerous as COVID-19 but should rather join hands and work with the government, “Governor Wike has shown uncommon leadership and has proved over the years that he has the interest of the people at heart. Even before the index case in Rivers State, he locked the borders by air, land, and sea and was it not for his vigilance and proactive bold steps, the virus would have been ravaging the state the way it is proliferating in other states. He not only locked down the state but personally supervised to ensure that it was not violated”.
“So as a Rivers son, who is proud of his actions, I have to commend him and charge him not to bow to any form of intimidation or pressure since his social contract is with the people of the state. His boldness in taking on highly connected people who feel they are above the law like the pilots of the helicopter that flouted the lockdown calls for every Rivers man to stand with him to continue the good work. I am very proud of how he has been handling matters in the state,” he said.
Akinaka said that when compared with his brother governors, only the actions of the Lagos State governor could be likened to what Wike has been doing to proactively shield the state from the pandemic, adding, “Do you know what it means to take on a big company like Caverton? He does not compromise the safety and wellbeing of the state.”
In their assessment, the Nembe PDP Chiefs Forum, through the Chairman, Chief Erewari-Oruwari said the review and distribution of food items were further confirmation of the leadership quality of Senator Douye Diri as a responsible and responsive leader.
Chief Erewari-Oruwari said the development would allow Christian faithful across the state to worship God, and, as well pray to God to heal the Nation of the highly dreaded Coronavirus virus code-named COVID-19.
He, however, appealed to Bayelsans not to abuse the privilege by increasing the government’s approved figures in their various worship centers. Chief Erewari-Oruwari said the lockdown policy is for the good of the people in the state, noting the casualty rate of COVID-19 globally.
He, therefore, stressed the need for the people of the state to adhere strictly to COVID-19 lockdown policy, especially social distancing and others as advised by the World Health Organisation, (WHO).
In the same vein, the Vice-chairman of the Forum, Chief Alfred Imbassi-Atiegha has described as unprecedented precautionary measures taken by Senator Douye Diri led administration at curtailing the spread of the highly dreaded Coronavirus in the state.
Chief Imbassi said the palliative measure, especially the distribution of food items in all the local government areas of the state would go a long way in cushioning the effect of COVID-19. It will be recalled that Bayelsa remains one of the few states in the country with a zero record of COVID-19.
The vice-chairman attributed the success recorded so far in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 to the visionary leadership style of Senators Douye Diri and Lawrence Ehwrujakpor.
Chief Imbassi-Atiegha felicitated with the Christian faithful on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration. He enjoined them to imbibe the teaching of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ which centered on humility and service to humanity. Also, he called on them to use this period to pray for the Country, especially the COVID-19.
