Wike Explains Lockdown of Port Harcourt

As the total lockdown of Port Harcourt metropolis, covering Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of Rivers State, commences tomorrow, the state Governor,  Nyesom Wike, has declared that the lockdown was not targeted to suffer the people,  but aimed at protecting them from contracting the coronavirus.

Speaking during a radio live phone-in programme monitored in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Wike said all measures put in place by his administration have been to check the spread of coronavirus.

He said: "We have to lockdown Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor LGA in the interest of our people.  While individuals feel it, the state government is also affected because it loses revenue, but lives must be protected."

Wike said he had to take a decision to lockdown the areas of fears that the number of those who will test positive would increase when the state starts mass testing.

According to him, "My first priority is to protect the lives of the Rivers people.  We haven't locked down the towns before.  This is not for anyone to suffer.  I am appealing to our people to bear it. If we don't do anything now, our people will suffer.

"The population of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor LGA is high. If it hits us, we will have serious problems.  The action is to help our people."

He urged the people to continue to pray for the success of the state government at this crucial time.

"We need continuous prayers to succeed.  We have handed this state to God. We can only do much, but God will save our people," he said.

Wike also said the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that agriculture and health are key, adding that the state would work towards further growth in that direction.

He advised Rivers people to make sacrifices at this period, adding that while food can never be enough, the state government would sustain its delivery of palliatives.