Tobias Sylvester
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has berated the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government for politicising the fight against coronavirus, describing the selective support to states as unfortunate.
In a broadcast on Sunday evening, Wike condemned the exclusion of Rivers State from the Federal Government grants in the fight against coronavirus.
He noted that despite the exclusion of the state, the Buhari-led government has continued to endanger the state by flying expatriates into the state.
The governor wondered if the federal government is waiting for a state to have more than 50 cases before rendering support.
“It is quite unfortunate that the containment of coronavirus has been politicised by the federal government,” he said.
“While Lagos State received a grant of N10billion as a commercial hub, Rivers State as the nation’s oil and gas hub that produces a greater percentage of the nation’s wealth has not received any support from the federal government.
“One wonders why federal government should single out a state out of 36 States to give support. Does it mean that support will come when a State has a record of over 50 infected persons before it gets support. No state should be seen as more important than any other state. This is a Federal Republic. No state is superior to others.
“Rivers State is entitled to support from the federal government. Everyday, we are inundated with letters from the federal government to allow oil companies to fly in expatriates to drill Oil. Then we ask, what is the status of those coming from Lagos? Nobody has told us their status as regards coronavirus.
“If they come to come Rivers without us knowing their status, what will be implication assuming they have the virus.”
Governor Wike also announced that all markets in the state shall operate between 7a.m. and 12 noon on April 7 and April 8, 2020 to allow residents shop for Easter and also replenish their stock of foodstuffs.
He said Oil Mill Market, Mbiama Market and Slaughter Market at Trans Amadi will remain closed till further notice.
