Governor Nyesom Wike
Uchendu Mark – Port Harcourt
Rivers state governor, Mr Nyesom Wike has sacked a permanent secretary in Rivers state civil service for flouting and obstructing enforcement of COVID-19 guidelines at a burial ceremony.
Wike said the affected permanent secretary, Mr. Sunny Okere, was sacked with immediate effect, saying that Okere chased away chased away officials of the ministry of health who were on enforcement.
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“Burial ceremonies are also reportedly being conducted in clear breach of the 50 persons maximum attendance limit such that a serving Permanent Secretary had the temerity to chase away officials of the State Ministry of Health who went to enforce the established guidelines on public burials at Oyigbo.”
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He said the sack of the permanet would serve as a lesson to all other public officers who may wish to be irresponsible.
He assured that government would decontaminate public schools to keep them safe for resumption in line with the Federal Government’s Guidelines.
Government, he said, is also appraising the prospect of opening markets as soon as it is satisfied that it is safe with appropriate guidelines on social distancing, hand washing and wearing of face masks.
Governor Wike announced the setting up of a Joint Taskforce made up of security and civilian personnel to enforce the wearing of face masks.
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He stated that to sustain the progress made in the state, the State Security Council has imposed a night time curfew from 8p.m to 6a.m on Bonny Local Government and Onne Community in Eleme Local Government with effect from July 10, 2020 until further notice.
The Governor assured all health workers, including doctors and nurses that government would continue to cater for their welfare as they continue to serve the state at grave risks to their own lives.
Wike added that government would not fail to do whatever it takes to slow down the spread of the virus.
