Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has blamed the rising COVID-19
cases in the state on unscreened oil workers.
He said 60 per cent of infections recorded in the state came
from such employees returning from rigs.
Speaking when the Management team of Mobil Producing Nigeria
Unlimited paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port
Harcourt, the Governor said the development accounted for why he
insisted that oil workers coming into the state must be tested to
know their coronavirus status.
Wike said oil remained the mainstay of the economy and clarified
all his actions were not targeted at anybody or organisation.
He recalled that recently the Nigeria Airforce Base, Port
Harcourt quarantined 14 oil workers out which three of them tested
positive for the virus.
He said: “Its not in anybody’s interest to deny people to carry
out their official duties.
“Oil is the main stay of the economy of Nigeria and without it
we that is in this part of the country will find it difficult to
function.
“My concern is that companies should always notify government of
workers they are bringing into the state, so that our health
officials can monitor them.
“So all that we are saying is that we should work together. But
people bring in politics that Rivers State is difficult, they don’t
want any oil exploration, that is because people want to play
politics.
“People say we don’t want foodstuff and livestock to come into
the State. That is not correct.
“What we are saying is that human beings should not be hidden
with these items.”
The Governor lauded Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited for the
support to the state government in its fight against COVID 19,
saying he would always ensure the protection of the lives of Rivers
people.
Rivers Governor, Nyesom Wike, has blamed the rising COVID-19
cases in the state on unscreened oil workers.
He said 60 per cent of infections recorded in the state came
from such employees returning from rigs.
Speaking when the Management team of Mobil Producing Nigeria
Unlimited paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port
Harcourt, the Governor said the development accounted for why he
insisted that oil workers coming into the state must be tested to
know their coronavirus status.
Wike said oil remained the mainstay of the economy and clarified
all his actions were not targeted at anybody or organisation.
He recalled that recently the Nigeria Airforce Base, Port
Harcourt quarantined 14 oil workers out which three of them tested
positive for the virus.
He said: “Its not in anybody’s interest to deny people to carry
out their official duties.
“Oil is the main stay of the economy of Nigeria and without it
we that is in this part of the country will find it difficult to
function.
“My concern is that companies should always notify government of
workers they are bringing into the state, so that our health
officials can monitor them.
“So all that we are saying is that we should work together. But
people bring in politics that Rivers State is difficult, they don’t
want any oil exploration, that is because people want to play
politics.
“People say we don’t want foodstuff and livestock to come into
the State. That is not correct.
“What we are saying is that human beings should not be hidden
with these items.”
The Governor lauded Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited for the
support to the state government in its fight against COVID 19,
saying he would always ensure the protection of the lives of Rivers
people.