Governor Nyesom Wike.
Uchendu Mark – Port Harcourt
Following the continued restriction of movement in Rivers state, Governor Nyesom Wike, has reviewed entry permit and waivers earlier given to oil companies in the state.
In a broadcast on Monday, Wike said oil companies on essential operations and crew change must submit her workers to the state’s taskforce on COVID-19 for screening.
Wike said the decision was taken because the 14th case of Coronavirus in the state was flown in to Port Harcourt by Bristow Helicopters from an offshore oilfield facility in Akwa Ibom state on 29th April 2020.
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“From now on, requests for waivers and entry permits from oil and gas companies will be considered on a case by case basis.”
“All inward-bound vehicles and flights into Rivers State from oil and gas companies with workers for crew change or other essential operations must first submit details of their manifests to the State’s taskforce on COVID-19 for proper vetting of their virus status before they can be allowed to enter the State.”
“All operators of chartered flights into Rivers State for oil and gas operations, especially Bristow and Caverton Helicopters, should please comply with this directive and refrain from jeopardizing the lives of our people for the sake of making profits.”
Wike said case histories have shown that un – vetted entry of oil and gas workers from Lagos, Abuja and other places was a potential source for the importation and spread of COVID-19 in the state.
