COVID-19: Rivers people must survive to stay safe, Okumgba replies Wike

_â–ª Accuses Wike of lacklustre approach in the fight against COVID-19;

*intensifies calls for establishment of food, organisation of Online/Radio/TV classes for NECO/WAEC candidates and creation of isolation centres__

â–ªFaults Gov. Wike on the suspension of Obio/ Akpor LGA Chairman and his deputy; condemns constant threats on traditional rulers.__

â–ªApplauds NDDC for heeding to his call on funding and provision of health kits to combat the virus_

Avalanche of condemnations have continued to trail Governor Wike’s insensitive approach to the fight against the ravaging scourge of the coronavirus contagion.

The latest criticism is coming from a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC and the Zonal Secretary of the party in the South-South geopolitical zone, Mr David Okumgba who is also an indigene of Rivers State.

In a swift reaction to the recent actions taken by the government of Rivers State, the party scribe expressed disappointment over the suddenness of a 24 hours curfew imposed by the governor in some sections of the state without recourse to palliative measures and the bizarre sack of an LGA Chairman and his deputy over non-compliance. 

Frowning at the continuous provocative threats on traditional institutions and the militarisation of some sections of the state, he lamented the impact of a 24 hour siege on persons already pyschologically  traumatized by the economic hardship propagated by the stay-at-home order.

“Although I support the stay-at-home order of the state government as a means of curtailing the spread of the virus, I am appalled by the manner the governor is manhandling innocent citizens with military might, with absolutely nothing on ground to guarantee their survival.Should we throw a child away with the bath water?A time such as this demands wisdom and logical reasoning. There should be a more civilised approach to this collective fight against COVID-19”. he decried.

Speaking further, Okumgba wondered why Gov. Wike readily uses LGA chairmen and traditional rulers as  sacrificial lambs when confronted with daunting issues that expose his administrative incompetence.

He said ” Rather than the governor to admit how grossly incompetent he is in managing the affairs of Rivers people, he choses to use his sledge hammer on innocent traditional rulers and elected LGA chairmen.If we must know the governor acted ultra vires and in aberration of the rule of law in sacking the Obio Akpor LGA  Chairman and his deputy.

“Some days earlier, he had announced the setting up of a number of   committees/taskforce to ensure compliance, rather than monitoring her activities strictly and adjusting where necessary, in his usual style he has forseen an ample opportunity to wield his sledge hammer against traditional rulers and other stakeholders opposed to his high-handness.

“This COVID-19 pandemic, albeit an unfortunate incident, has exposed Wike’s lack of administrative tact and  understanding of government business.” he bemoaned.

The Okirika born politician and development strategist advised Gov. Wike to live above mere crowd control mechanism, which he admitted was necessary but not an end to itself.

According to him, “it is high time the governor went beyond the bravado of jumping from one place to another to actually start implementing a clear-cut roadmap for prevention, testing, containment and treatment of the contagion in the event of further outbreaks in the state.”

Okumgba charged the governor to emulate the governors of Lagos and Delta states, and collaborate with coporate organizations in the establishment of isolation centres; setting up of food markets in designated areas; distribution of precautionary kits; organisation of online/Radio/ TV holiday classes for Rivers children especially those preparing for O’ Level examination amongst others. 

He opined that the state chief executive should stop using the lack of grants from the Federal Government as an excuse and discharge his official responsibilities with vigour and a human face, using the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and Coporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy as start-up instruments.

“Beyond the audio announcement of one treatment centre and two holding centres, the supposed Mr. Project should see this battle against the spread of coronavirus as his most ambitious project and tell us, exactly, how much he has earmarked to wedge the war. 

“Rivers people are desirous of seeing palliatives such as food markets and other essential services provided for them at affordable costs, including isolation centres springing up at strategic locations in the event of further outbreaks.” the party scribe stated.

Emphatically thanking the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC for heeding his earlier call a week ago to partner with state governments in the region,

David Okumgba lauded the commission for approving a whopping sum of N1.045B plus other intended incentives.

He charged other interventionist/corporate bodies; religious bodies and good spirited individuals to emulate the NDDC in coming to the rescue of the people of the region.