Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has given reasons why he
demolished Prodest Hotel in Alode and Etemeteh Hotel in Onne, both
in Eleme Local Government Area of the state.
Wike said the hotels were demolished after it violated an
Executive Order on COVID 19, despite warnings from the State
government.
The Governor said that the focus on hotels was because one of
the coronavirus cases in the state spread the virus from a
hotel.
Wike who monitored the demolition of Prodest Hotel, Alode, Eleme
said his action was in line with the Rivers State Government
Executive Order 6, which banned the operation of hotels across the
23 Local Government Areas of the State.
Governor Wike told newsmen at the demolition scene that the law
must be obeyed, hence the State Government’s decision to enforce
it.
According to him; “Government has no alternative but to apply
the Executive order which I signed before the lockdown of
Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt.
I called all the Traditional Rulers and Council Chairmen and
told them to ensure that no hotel operates in the State.
“We are not saying it will be forever. This is for now so that
we know where we are. To reduce the cases and check the spread.
“Whether you are PDP or not, all we are saying is that nobody is
above the law. If we can do this to a PDP person, then you know we
are not discriminatory. Everyone must obey. Whether you are in the
PDP, SDP or no party, you must obey the law. If any other person
does the same thing, the same rule will apply.
“We said no hotel should operate within this period.
Unfortunately, the PDP Youth Leader in Eleme joined others to flout
the Executive Order. Therefore, the executive order will be
applied.
“We said if any hotel operates, the government will bring down
that hotel. We are doing what we have told people that we are going
to do.
“Nobody wants to obey any rules. We are saying just for now,
keep off, let us see how we can keep our people safe.
“Look at the rate of infections, most of these people are found
in hotels. Look at the man that died, he was at Mingi Hotel in
Rumumasi. Due to that contact, we have had other seven cases.
“People should help us and support the Government for Rivers
people to be safe. The Security Council will meet to review the
strategies and achievements or setbacks, moving forward.
“All we are doing is to protect our people. Some people may not
like our strategies, but our objective is to achieve results. ”
Governor Wike reiterated his declaration that no hotel should
operate anywhere in the state, adding that the Managing Director of
the hotel at Onne has been arrested.
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state has given reasons why he
demolished Prodest Hotel in Alode and Etemeteh Hotel in Onne, both
in Eleme Local Government Area of the state.
Wike said the hotels were demolished after it violated an
Executive Order on COVID 19, despite warnings from the State
government.
The Governor said that the focus on hotels was because one of
the coronavirus cases in the state spread the virus from a
hotel.
Wike who monitored the demolition of Prodest Hotel, Alode, Eleme
said his action was in line with the Rivers State Government
Executive Order 6, which banned the operation of hotels across the
23 Local Government Areas of the State.
Governor Wike told newsmen at the demolition scene that the law
must be obeyed, hence the State Government’s decision to enforce
it.
According to him; “Government has no alternative but to apply
the Executive order which I signed before the lockdown of
Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt.
I called all the Traditional Rulers and Council Chairmen and
told them to ensure that no hotel operates in the State.
“We are not saying it will be forever. This is for now so that
we know where we are. To reduce the cases and check the spread.
“Whether you are PDP or not, all we are saying is that nobody is
above the law. If we can do this to a PDP person, then you know we
are not discriminatory. Everyone must obey. Whether you are in the
PDP, SDP or no party, you must obey the law. If any other person
does the same thing, the same rule will apply.
“We said no hotel should operate within this period.
Unfortunately, the PDP Youth Leader in Eleme joined others to flout
the Executive Order. Therefore, the executive order will be
applied.
“We said if any hotel operates, the government will bring down
that hotel. We are doing what we have told people that we are going
to do.
“Nobody wants to obey any rules. We are saying just for now,
keep off, let us see how we can keep our people safe.
“Look at the rate of infections, most of these people are found
in hotels. Look at the man that died, he was at Mingi Hotel in
Rumumasi. Due to that contact, we have had other seven cases.
“People should help us and support the Government for Rivers
people to be safe. The Security Council will meet to review the
strategies and achievements or setbacks, moving forward.
“All we are doing is to protect our people. Some people may not
like our strategies, but our objective is to achieve results. ”
Governor Wike reiterated his declaration that no hotel should
operate anywhere in the state, adding that the Managing Director of
the hotel at Onne has been arrested.